Potty Learning

Editor's note: I know some people hate the word "potty" and would rather be a grown up about it and just say toilet. I am not one of those people. lol. If you are, reconsider reading this post. :) 

Jack is officially a big boy potty-going pro!

He mostly just hangs out in his undies at home. Lol. 

I dislike the term "potty training" even though I know it's what everyone says. I just don't like the word "training" associated with anything related to kids. lol. Even though I know it's silly.

So here's how we did it:

I know a lot of people encourage using a fun chart so kids get rewards, incentives, etc. But I wanted to try it a little differently based on some of the parenting philosophies I've learned since Jack was a baby. (But if the treats and charts worked for you, great! WHATEVER WORKS. haha)

We used the approach to just make potty going really fun. We let him pick out his own underwear (super heroes, outer space and dinosaurs...of course.) And then he got to pick out his own potty seats. (Jake and the Neverland Pirates and Elmo.)

He's really been ready to use the potty for about eight-six months and started practicing back then. Every once in a while he'd ask to go on the potty and we'd let him when he asked. But he stayed in diapers. I was honestly pretty overwhelmed and thought it was going to be really hard. I was still working at the time and was nervous about having to ask another care provider to help him with going to the bathroom. So I held off.

Then I finally got to stay home and I figured I'd jump right on it. But then I was pregnant and OH SO SICK AND TIRED. So I got lazy again and held off longer.

The first week in November, I got some of my gusto back and Jack was asking to go on the potty a lot at that time. Plus he was staying dry at night and during nap. So we started. We got those undies and toilets all ready. We have some kind of potty seat for him in all three of our bathrooms. lol. Convenience, yo. (read: lazy mama)

At first, we'd just encourage him to go a lot. Every 20 minutes or so. He had zero accidents the first few days (still keeping on diapers at night). Then finally he had an accident on day three or four. We didn't make a big deal, just put on new undies and kept going.

Every time he'd go potty, we didn't do treats but we'd get really excited and jump up and down cheering. haha. It sounds silly but it really works. (Now I've got my own little cheerleader for when I go to the bathroom. "You went potty like a big boy, mommy!") Hehe.

Anyway, long story short, he got it. No problem. I have to say, YAY!!! I feel like parenting is mostly hard, but every once in a while you hit the jackpot and boy did I. Literally. haha. (Double pun intended.)

Everyone warned me how difficult it is to get boys to learn how to use the potty, but it hasn't been tough for us at all. I'm even finally confident enough to take him to the store and out and about in his underwear without worrying he will have an accident. He's pretty vocal about letting me know he needs to go. lol.

I'm just hoping he keeps this good streak up. lol. We're only about a month in, but I'm really excited to not have to buy diapers anymore for a little while.

Readers, what are some tips and tricks that worked when you helped your littles learn to use the big-person potty? Feel free to chime in down below!