Potty Training Tips From a Mom of Four: What Worked for Our Family

Potty training is one of those parenting milestones that can feel exciting, overwhelming, and a little bit messy, all at the same time.

After spending years changing diapers, the idea of finally being done with them sounds pretty great. But then you actually have to figure out how to get there. When do you start? What method do you use? What do you do when your child refuses to poop on the toilet? And how do you leave the house without bringing an entire backup plan with you?

After potty training all four of my kids, I learned pretty quickly that there isn't one perfect way to do it. Every child was a little different, and sometimes what worked came down to what made the most sense for our family at the time.

If you're getting ready to start potty training, here are a few things that worked for us:

Find a Time That Works for Your Family

We potty trained all four of our children relatively early, around 20 months or so. But I didn't necessarily choose that age because I was following one specific potty training timeline. A lot of the time, it simply came down to what was happening in our family.

Because our kids were close together in age, I often started potty training after bringing a new baby home from the hospital. I know that might sound like a crazy time to add one more thing to the mix, but my thinking was pretty simple: we were already home, we were spending plenty of time together, and we weren't going many places anyway.

That timing definitely won't work for every family, and that's okay. Maybe you have a long weekend coming up or a quieter week when you know you'll be home more than usual. I think the important thing is finding a stretch of time when you can give your child some extra attention without constantly rushing between potty training and everything else.

Give Them Plenty of Opportunities to Practice

When I was ready to start potty training, I took a pretty focused approach for the first few days. My kids went without clothes at home so they could start recognizing the feeling of needing to go. I kept a close eye on them and, when I noticed those little signs, we'd head straight to the toilet.

I also gave them lots of liquids while we were home. That meant lots of trips back and forth to the bathroom, but that was kind of the point. The more opportunities they had to practice, the more chances they had to start making that connection between what they were feeling and what they needed to do.

Sometimes they only made it to the toilet for a little bit, and I still counted that as progress.

It wasn't necessarily the most glamorous way to spend a few days, but it gave us a chance to really focus on learning the new skill together.

Make It Feel Positive

A little extra motivation went a long way with some of my kids.

With my older kids, I used sticker charts that we kept right outside the bathroom. Every successful trip to the toilet earned a sticker, and once they collected enough, they got a small reward.

Nothing huge. Sometimes it was a little toy or a favorite treat. With my youngest son, we kept it even simpler and used a small treat each time he successfully used the toilet.

Every kid is different here. Some love seeing those stickers add up. Some are very motivated by a little treat. Others may not need a reward system at all.

For me, it was less about finding the "perfect" reward and more about keeping the experience encouraging and giving them something to feel proud of.

Expect Some Parts to Take Longer Than Others

If potty training four kids taught me anything, it's that no two kids are going to do this exactly the same way.

One child might catch on to daytime potty training quickly but take much longer to stay dry overnight. One of our kids figured out nighttime dryness right away, while others needed more time.

And then there's pooping on the toilet, which can feel like its own completely separate potty training adventure.

If your child is nervous or struggling with one part of the process, it doesn't necessarily mean everything you're doing isn't working. Sometimes they just need more time to get comfortable with that particular step.

There were times when the best thing for us was simply staying home for a few days and really focusing on it. Lots of patience, lots of encouragement, and lots of reminding myself that we'd get there eventually.

It isn't always easy, and it definitely isn't always pretty. But if your child is struggling with one part of potty training, you are very much not alone.

Make Leaving the House Feel Less Intimidating

Once we started getting the hang of potty training at home, leaving the house felt like a whole new hurdle.

One habit that helped us was always using the bathroom before we left the house and then trying again when we arrived wherever we were going. It gave us a little more peace of mind and eventually just became part of our routine.

I also had friends who kept a portable training potty in the car, which was especially helpful for those "I have to go RIGHT NOW" moments at the park or somewhere without an easy bathroom nearby.

And yes, keeping an extra change of clothes close by for a while is a good idea.

Start with shorter outings if that feels easier. Keep a backup plan nearby. Eventually, you build your confidence right alongside your child.

And then one day, you realize you made it through an entire outing without thinking about potty training at all.

And that feels pretty great.

When the Diapers Are Gone, Your Diaper Caddy Can Get a New Job

One funny part about reaching the end of the diaper stage is looking around and realizing you don't necessarily need all of that baby gear anymore.

But some of it can stick around.

Once we were done with diapers, our Felt Diaper Caddy could easily take on a new job. It can become a craft caddy, a spot for hair accessories, an art supply organizer, or a catch-all for the everyday things kids somehow accumulate everywhere.

That's one of the things I love about a good organizer. Just because you're done with the baby stage doesn't mean you're done finding things that need a home.

Potty Training Is a Big Milestone

Potty training might not be the most glamorous parenting milestone, but it really is a big one. It takes patience, consistency, encouragement, and sometimes a few days of staying home and really focusing on it.

After going through it four times, the biggest thing I learned is that there isn't one perfect method.

Listen to other parents. Gather ideas. Try the things that feel right for your family. And then give yourself permission to adjust when something isn't working.

That's parenting, right? We learn our kids, we try something, and we figure it out together.

And when the diapers finally come to an end?

That's definitely something worth celebrating.

Want to hear more of our potty-training stories and tips?

Listen to the Full Episode

We share even more potty training stories, practical tips, and encouragement in this episode of Rooted Conversations. Listen while you're folding laundry, driving to preschool pickup, or enjoying a quiet walk.

Listen to the full episode here: Apple Podcasts or Spotify