Preparing for Potty Training — How We Got Ready Together

What helped most wasn’t a “perfect method,” but planning together, keeping it positive, and staying flexible.

Before we even started potty training, we assumed the hard part would be the training itself. Looking back, the biggest difference came from how we prepared.

Like most parents, we did our research — we Googled guides, read blogs, asked our son’s school for tips, and listened to friends. Everyone had a slightly different approach, which at first felt overwhelming. So we pulled the best ideas into a plan that fit our family — the same roadmap we now share in Potloo’s “Our Guide”.

Building our plan — and keeping it flexible

Having a plan gave us structure when things got messy (literally and emotionally). But we treated it as a guide, not a script. Some days it flowed; other days we changed course. That flexibility kept everyone calmer and made it easier to follow our child’s pace.

Making our son part of the preparation

One of the most helpful choices we made — and something many resources agreed on — was including our son from the very beginning. We wanted him to feel like part of the team, not just the one being trained.

• We took him to choose a potty book and his new underwear.
• We read the book together in the days before our “big weekend.”
• We explained the plan simply and often: on Saturday morning we’d say goodbye to diapers, start using the toilet, and then wear underwear a few days later.
• We kept the tone fun and positive — “you’re growing up, and we’re already so proud of you.”

We could tell he understood, and we believe being part of the plan made a real difference in his confidence.

Involve your child early. When they know what’s coming — and know you’re doing it together — the whole process feels safer and more positive.

Different families, different rhythms

Your version might look different — a sticker chart, a song, a timer, or just letting them explore the potty at their own pace. What matters most is helping your toddler understand the plan and feel your support every step of the way.

Helpful starting points

• Create a simple plan (when to try sits, what language you’ll use) — but allow room to adapt.
• Choose tools that support comfort and consistency (a potty seat, portable potty, favorite book).
• Practice the steps together: pants down, sit, try, wipe, flush, wash hands.
• Keep it positive — celebrate effort, not just outcomes.

Preparation won’t make everything perfect, but it can make things peaceful. And when your child feels included from the beginning, you’re not just teaching a skill — you’re building trust, teamwork, and pride.