Let’s Get This Potty Started (Again)
Thank you Angel Soft® for sponsoring this post. Ditch the spray and switch to Angel Soft® with Fresh Lavender-Scented Tube.
We’ve been gearing up to start potty training Isla for a while now, and I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a bit of a bust. Potty training had been a breeze with Brody, and in my pregnancy brain haze, I was expecting a similar experience here. Note to self - never compare one kid’s experience to the other because there’s a good chance they won’t match up.
Our potty training weekend in June proved none of us were quite ready. Because we’ll be traveling or otherwise unable to commit to a whole weekend at home for most of this summer, we won’t have another great potty training opportunity until sometime in August. But this time, I’m going to be prepping the whole family for potty training round two to make sure it sticks!
To train or not to train
Like all things toddler, there’s no “right” or “perfect” time to potty train - it really depends on when your little one starts showing signs of readiness. However, there are a few signs that can tell you if you’re nearly ready to ditch the diapers:
Your toddler wakes up with a dry diaper after a nap
Wanting to be changed out of a wet or dirty diaper immediately
Telling you that they are using the bathroom
A very strong interest in the toilet
Wanting to watch you when you use the toilet
I know it’s tough, but you have to be aware that even though you might be ready to potty train, your toddler may not be there quite yet. Potty training works best when you’re both ready to get down to business. And speaking of when to train, I definitely recommend 3-4 days (typically a weekend) where you can all stay in the house and really commit to the potty. This gives your toddler plenty of time to practice and keeps you from having a public potty disaster.
Accidents happen
While potty training with Brody was a relatively easy process, our experience with Isla was a whole new world. It definitely reinforced what our best and worst practices were and I made a mental note of everything so that we can be more successful when we try again!
Do your research first // I love reading “Big Boy Underpants” for boys or “Big Girl Panties” for girls to help them understand the process. And “Oh Crap! Potty Training” for parents is a must read for both mom and dad. This will make everyone feel more confident about the whole process and prevent you from making too many training mistakes.
Don’t introduce the training potty before training // It seems like a good idea to get your toddler used to the idea of a potty before actually using it, but this can actually hurt the process. They’ll see the potty as a toy instead of what it really is.
Do stock up on supplies first // Gather whatever you need - underpants, training potty, books etc. - before you settle in for your long training weekend. The whole process will run much more smoothly if you have the essentials on hand.
Don’t bribe or nag // Take it from me, offering treats can be just as bad as scolding and will teach your toddler that using the potty is a game or a chore. Instead be patient, let them go as frequently as they want, and know that a “Good job!” works just as well as a sticker or sucker.
Do have plenty of toilet paper on hand // Maybe it’s the glamour of using the bathroom or the thrill of wiping your own bottom for the first time, but toddlers love toilet paper and they will certainly go through a lot of it in those early days. Don’t forget, toddlers have more sensitive skin than you and me, so be sure to select something that will be gentle on their bottom.
One of our favorite potty training finds
It’s safe to say that between my pregnancy and Isla’s potty training, we’ll be spending a lot of time in and out of bathrooms for the foreseeable future. I’ve used Angel Soft® brand toilet paper for years, so I was pretty excited when I saw that they were introducing a new product just in time for our potty party.
Angel Soft® with Fresh Lavender-Scented Tube is everything I love about the original toilet paper, but with an amazing scent that made our bathroom feel like a spa! The lavender scent is applied to the toilet paper tube, not the paper itself, and is safe for use by children and adults alike. But that’s not the only good thing in the package:
Angel Soft® toilet paper always has two layers for a premium, gentle feel
The Angel Soft® with Fresh Lavender-Scented Tube keeps your bathroom smelling great, even with 29 toddler trips to the potty
Angel Soft® is safe for use in standard sewer and septic tanks
The value is unbeatable and you can find coupons right on their website!
Potty training can be frustrating, exhausting, and insanely messy, but when I use Angel Soft® with Fresh Lavender-Scented Tube, quality is one thing I don’t have to worry about. And hey, maybe cleaning up a few accidents won’t be as bad if I’m living in a lavender dream, right?
Have you used Angel Soft® with Fresh Lavender-Scented Tube before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
