How To Know When It’s Time To Start Potty Training Your Toddler

We are finally here! The potty training stage. My son has shown signs that he is now ready to start potty training. It’s bitter sweet because I won’t have to buy diapers anymore, but at the same time, I’m sad the little baby stage is over.

I’ve always heard that most girls potty train faster than boys and in our case, this is true. My girls were potty trained at 18 months. (The picture above is my oldest daughter.) My son is 2 and is just now showing me he is ready. So don’t rush your little one until they are ready. Instead, enjoy the stage they are in, because we all know our babies grow up way too fast. We must remember that each child is different and will be ready for new stages at their own individual time.

Here are 5 signs to know it may be time to start potty training.

1. They don’t like the feeling of having a dirty diaper on.

This was the first sign of being ready to potty train that DJ showed me. As soon as he would feel wet or dirty, he would pull at his diaper to get it off and then would run and get a clean diaper requesting a change.

2. Shows signs of awareness that their body is releasing poop and/or pee.

Some kids will go in a corner or behind the couch and “hide” to handle their business, while others will stand in the open, but their face says it all. The child knows something is happening and pauses until it is all out.

3. Watches others use the bathroom and is interested in sitting on potty themselves.

My son is always busting into the bathroom when someone is in there and wants to join in by sitting on his own potty. He even cheers for you and says good job when you are finished. 😂

4. Your child is able to undress themselves.

While being potty trained, it’s important for the toddler to be able to easily pull their pants up and down. If they are undressing themselves, this may be a great sign it’s time to sit them on the potty.

5. You are changing fewer diapers.

As your child gets older, they don’t use the bathroom on themselves as much because they are learning to control their bladder. So if you notice you don’t have to change their diapers as frequently, they may be ready to be potty trained.

Practices I use that are actually working.

1. I put DJ in cotton briefs. (And they are the cutest on him)

No more diapers and it immediately gave him confidence. He wanted to show everyone his new big boy briefs. The benefit is he quickly learned that his new undies don’t keep him dry like the diaper does. He did not like that feeling. There have been several accidents and this will happen, so be patient and be ready to clean it up. This is all part of the learning process. I do put the pull up on him at night, but only at night.

2. Constantly asking him if he has to use the bathroom.

I know he is sick of me asking him, “do you have to potty?” But, we have to get him used to stopping what he is doing to go use the bathroom. I ask him about every 30 minutes.

3. When DJ uses the bathroom, it’s a family celebration!!

Everybody in the house runs to the bathroom, claps and cheers, yelling, “Yay DJ! Great Job!!” And he looks forward to this celebration. If one of his siblings is missing, he will call their name until they come to celebrate with him.

4. DJ has a potty that he is able to use all by himself.

Independence is very important right now and they want to do it all by themselves. Having his own potty lets him do just that. Although, I do still put him on the regular toilet so he can get use to that too.

5. All it took was one whooping.

So first, let me say, don’t just whoop your child because they are having accidents. This is a learning process that may not happen over night. But, for DJ, it was another story. Dj stood in the middle of the floor, peed and then kept it moving like nothing even happened. He knew what he was doing, he just didn’t want to go to the bathroom to pee. I whooped DJ one time and told him if he didn’t get to the bathroom, he would get another whopping. Don’t worry, he just got a few taps to the leg. No baby was harmed in the process. Lol.

But the next time he had to pee, he ran to the bathroom, sat on his toilet and said, “No whooping Mommy, no whooping!” 😂 So, he definitely understood, he was just being lazy. The little stern tappings worked and were effective immediately. He has had a few accidents on the way to the toilet and in front of the toilet, but that is okay because there was an effort to get to the bathroom.

So if you think your toddler is ready to start potty training, use these tips to help you and your little one get started. And take plenty of pictures because they look adorable in their big kid undies. Good luck!!