This post and giveaway were made possible by iConnect and Pampers® Easy Ups™. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.
My oldest was 20 months old when he threw a meltdown of epic proportions because I wouldn’t let him use the toilet. Being a first time parent, I had not expected potty training to start so early and certainly not so dramatically. I thought if we started around age 3 we were doing good. He wasn’t even 2. How was it possible we were at this stage? Needless to say, I was completely unprepared. I learned a lot from that first experience and, while I didn’t expect an early start again, I was much more prepared when it happened thanks to the lessons he taught me.
Patience is Key
This covers so much from the simple fact starting potty training and transitioning to underwear isn’t an overnight process to the many, many hours spent sitting in a bathroom reading books to your toddler. My kids love reading in general, but they both have this extra special attachment to reading in the bathroom during potty training. To the point I can’t get back up from sitting on the floor criss-cross applesauce in front of them and my voice is hoarse.
Positivity and Encouragement
You can’t shower a toddler with enough praises when they succeed in potty training. Even if it’s the tiniest success such as just telling you they need to go. Perhaps that moment ends in the diaper versus the toilet, but they have succeeded in hearing their body and understanding what it’s telling them.
With my son we had a small jar of candy in the bathroom and he’d get a piece with each success made in the toilet. As well as verbal cheering and “great job!” We haven’t started using candy yet this time, but we have started a potty chart again. These have been hits both times. Thankfully the love of stickers is still strong with toddlers making this a simple, easy reward.
Independence
The toddler “I did it!” phase and desire to master basic skills on their own is real. From getting dressed to using the potty, they want to be independent and do these things. Having the right tools helps. Since we spend much of our day downstairs, our half bathroom is outfitted with items to help with potty training. We have a potty seat beside the toilet so our daughter can get on and off by herself. There is a step stool in front of the sink so she can easily wash her own hands afterwards.
We also keep a fresh supply of Pampers® Easy Ups™ Training Underwear handy. Unlike diapers, Easy Ups feel more like underwear and feature a 360° stretchy waistband making it easy for toddlers to learn to pull them up and down – enabling a bit more of that independence.
We used and loved Easy Ups with our son, but they are even better now with the new design. I really appreciate the Extra Absorb Channels™ and Dual Leak-Guard Barriers™ which help absorb and prevent leaks when accidents do happen. A little extra reassurance (and less clean up duty) for parents during this transition.
Grab a coupon to save $2 off 1 package of the new Pampers® Easy Ups™ training pants
At the end, the most important lesson I’ve learned through our potty training adventures is each child is different and will succeed in their own time.
Tips from Pampers Easy Ups + a Giveaway
Is your toddler ready to start potty training? Learn more about the new Pampers Easy Ups Training Underwear and get tips for success by watching this video:
Then enter to win a #PampersEasyUps prize package* for you and your child, which will include
- $50 AMEXÂ Card
- Pampers Easy Ups
- Ilana Wile’s book, “The Mommy Shorts Guide to Remarkably Average Parenting”
*Note: entrants can only win one of the giveaway prize packs from the participating bloggers in this campaign.
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