Potty Training Survival Tips
FREE Potty Training Chart Download Included!
Potty training is not for the faint of heart—it takes patience, consistency, and a whole lot of trial and error. If you had a seamless experience, I truly envy you! I wish I could say the same about our journey with my 3-year-old son, Luca, but it has been anything but easy.
I’ve read the books, scoured the blogs, talked with fellow moms, and tried everything from sticker charts to candy rewards—you name it, we’ve attempted it. And while Luca has successfully used the potty, keeping him consistently engaged has been the biggest challenge. He’ll go for a while, then suddenly, it’s back to square one. Sound familiar?
What We’ve Tried
Here’s a breakdown of our potty training attempts so far:
1. Getting Him Excited Early On
Before diving in, we introduced the concept by reading fun potty training books featuring his favorite characters. This helped him feel prepared and excited before we even started.
2. Picking Out “Big Kid” Underwear
To make potty training more exciting, we took a special shopping trip and let him pick out his own underwear. He proudly chose dinosaur and Bluey designs, which made him eager to wear them!
3. The “Underwear-Only” Weekend
We dedicated a full three-day weekend to potty training, letting him wear only underwear at home (with towels on the couch for accidents!). At night, he wore a pull-up.
4. Setting Frequent Reminders
After three years of using diapers, we knew Luca wouldn’t automatically tell us when he had to go. So, we reminded him every 20–30 minutes to try, reinforcing the habit.
5. Sticker Charts & Small Rewards
Since Luca loves stickers, we tried a sticker chart, but he quickly lost interest when he saw all the empty spots left to fill. We also attempted small candy rewards, but again, the novelty wore off fast.
6. Making It a Big Celebration
One thing that never gets old? Praise! Every time Luca successfully used the potty, we clapped, cheered, and even did a little happy dance. He loved the excitement and positive reinforcement.
Where We Are Now
Despite all our efforts, Luca is still not fully potty trained—and that’s okay. I’ve learned not to stress over timelines or compare his progress to others. He will go when he’s ready, and that’s the most important thing.
Here are my biggest takeaways:
✅ Be patient. I know—easier said than done. But the more pressure I put on Luca, the more frustrated he gets. Instead, I encourage him, remind him of rewards, and make the process feel fun, not forced.
✅ Ignore unsolicited advice. Every child is different. Some train early, some take longer. It doesn’t matter if your friend’s child was trained months ago—your child will get there in their own time.
✅ Trial and error is key. No single method works for everyone. If a reward loses its excitement, switch things up! (And no, I’m not suggesting you go broke—Dollar Store toys, stickers, and bubbles make great low-cost incentives!)
✅ Use visual motivation. Seeing progress helps! That’s why I created a potty training chart that worked wonders on day one—Luca used the potty 10 times to earn his prize!
Want to give it a try? I designed a simple, engaging potty chart to help motivate little ones! Here’s how to use it:
1️⃣ Print the chart and icon collection on white cardstock (regular paper works too!). ⭐️ Make sure you write your child’s name in the header! ⭐️
2️⃣ Laminate it (or cover it with clear tape strips if you don’t have a laminator). If you’re interested in purchasing a laminator, this is similar to the one I have!)
3️⃣ Use Velcro stickers to attach pee and poop stickers for tracking progress. Here is the 960 pcs pack I purchased! If you’re also interested in the pee and poop stickers that I used, they are wooden pieces that were included in this bundle.
4️⃣ Hang it next to the toilet so your child can add stickers after each success.
5️⃣ Create a reward basket filled with small prizes your child will love!
What’s Included in Your Free Download:
🗒 8.5x11 Printable Potty Training Chart
💧 10 Pee Pee Icons
💩 10 Poopy Icons
🎉 Grab your FREE Potty Training Chart here!
There’s no perfect way to potty train, and while it can be frustrating, you’re not alone. Every child is different, and they’ll get there when they’re ready. Hopefully, this chart can help make the process a little smoother for you, too! 💕