I’m a Pull-Ups First Flush Ambassador!

I’m very excited to announce that I’m a Pull-Ups® First Flush Ambassador! I will be sharing posts as I embark on the potty training journey with my toddler son, Skylar.

Skylar has an older brother and an older sister, so this isn’t our first time at the rodeo. To be honest, we didn’t have an easy time training either one of them. But we did learn a few things.

Potty Training Tips

1. Try Not to Stress: You may be ready, but is your child? Just because my husband and I wanted our kids potty trained, it didn’t mean that they were ready. And having to train a child before they are able to start school doesn’t make it easier. Keep in mind, it also may take around 3-4 months to get your child trained. Seriously. But they aren’t going to go to college in diapers, try not to stress.

2. Consistency: Try putting your child on the toilet at regular times, such as first thing in the morning, after meals. Make it a routine.

3. Watch for Cues: Some kids will go off to a certain corner and do their business (if you know what I mean). Some kids, like my toddler, tends to stand a certain way. Recognize what they are doing, ask them to be aware of it, and if you can, get them right onto the potty. When training my middle child (my daughter), we told her to be aware of “the feeling”. She’s 6 now and she still talks about “the feeling”.

4. Praise, Don’t Berate: Potty training is not going to go smoothly, so don’t get upset if your child has accidents. He/she will start learning as they go.

5. Incentives and Rewards: We gave my oldest child Matchbox cars when he was potty training. At first we gave him a car every time he used the potty, then we started giving them at the end of the day (if he used the bathroom). They were reasonably priced and it helped to inspire him. My middle child, Allegra, was happy with a sticker chart. When she got a certain amount of stickers, she got small prizes.

6. Patience: You’re going to really need to be patient with your child. Just remember, it will happen.

7. Use Pull-Ups® Training Pants: Pull-Ups® training pants are for toddlers that are ready to begin the potty training process. They are designed to look and fit more like underwear and work with each individual child’s potty training learning style. Pull-Ups were essential in potty training my two older kids. My kids were drawn to the designs and felt like big kids — they could pull them up and down easily (much easier than bulky diapers).

We do have a challenge with Skylar – he has a speech delay, so we’re not always sure that he understands. But he seems ready now (as he understands a lot more than he did months ago and can follow directions now). I plan to try a sticker chart and if that doesn’t work, use Trader Joe’s mini oatmeal chip cookies.

So, come along on our journey!

Need resources for training your child? There are a many different tools and resources, available on the Big Kid Academy via the Pull-Ups website, Facebook page, and Twitter page, that will make it easy to start potty training and celebrate milestones — there is a great printable chart will help your First Flusher’s potty training accomplishments.

Do you have any tips? I’d love to know what worked and what didn’t work for you.