potting training tips from a non-expert

**The following article was written by guest contributor, Emilie Ahern.**

One of the most difficult things about Potty Training is that everyone has an opinion on what is right and what is wrong, but then everyone tells you that each child is different and must be trained as such.  Well, how is a regular Mommy supposed to figure it all out?!

I have successfully navigated this experience twice now.  With our first daughter, she was just a few weeks shy of three years old.  And now, our 2nd daughter just turned three and has begun the process.  And though each child had been very different, three things always remain constant in our potty training routine.

1. We let each child decorate their own potty. When it was time for my oldest daughter to potty-train we bought a really inexpensive potty and then bought some Disney Princess window clings from the Dollar Store (Dollar Tree to be exact). We made a big production about her decorating her potty with her Disney Princess window clings and it seemed very effective in making her feel ownership. The colorful array of potty seats pictured are a whopping $3.99 at Ikea and can easily be decorated. We plan on getting one for each floor of the house during Eva’s training.

2. We never do Pull-Ups. Besides being expensive, I have heard from many Mommies that kids are way too smart for these. They know it’s a glorified diaper and that they can fill it like they would a diaper. When we feel our kids are truly ready, we ditch the diapers, put on panties and never look back.  Yes, this requires a brave heart and a wet-vac, but it’s a must for us!

3. We always sing the Potty song. And do other things like it. The first time the child uses the potty on their own we call everyone we know, hoot, holler, eat treats and sing the official Ahern Potty Song (which I made up when Ella was training and which sounds like a Football Team fight song).

4. Relax.  I’ll admit, I was pretty wound up when training my first child.  This second time around I am much more relaxed.  If it works out…great, but if not there is always another time.  The world won’t stop if she’s not potty trained before (insert arbitrary age here).  Remember that this is an important time for your kiddo, one that has the potential to make them feel empowered, grown-up and proud of themselves.  Make sure your actions and reactions allow it to be a positive and exciting milestone for them.

Here’s to big-kid underpants,

bathroom step stools

and no more poopy diapers.