Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

Steps to Potty Training: Shell-Style

It’s that time. Time to potty train my youngest child.

After potty training 2 boys, I have come up with this list of must-haves for Potty Training:

*Lots of character-themed underwear
*M&Ms or other small treat
*Potty Power dvd
*potty seat for the big potty
*stepstool to reach potty
*timer(alarm on cell phone works well)
*lots of juice
*carpet cleaner
*lots of paper towels
*several bottles of wine

1. Start off the morning by having child watch the Potty Power dvd. Point out all the cute little songs and talk about using the potty as the DVD plays.

2. Strip your child and put him in cute character-themed underwear. Tell child that Buzz Lightyear or Diego or whoever is on the underwear doesn’t want to get all yucky with pee or poop.

3. Take child to the potty and have them try to use the potty. Congratulate them for trying and give them an m&m.

4.  Set alarm for 30 minutes from now. Watch Potty Power dvd while child drinks juice.

5. Repeat steps 3&4 over and over again.  Should child successfully use the potty, you can extend the time til the alarm goes off next.

6. Paper towels, carpet cleaner, and spare underwear should be used as needed.

7. After the third accident of the morning, eye the wine.

8.  Continue with the potty alarm, potty dvds, and repeated talk about using the potty.

9. Consider opening bottle of wine at lunch.

10.  Consider waiting another few months to potty train after the 5th accident of the day.

11.  Wonder if you have enough wine in the house.

12.  Sneak some m&ms because you deserve a treat, too.

13.  Calculate the price of a single pair of Thomas the Train underwear and realize that it’s not worth cleaning a big nasty poo out of them.

14. Successful peeing on the potty by toddler: cheer him on!

15. More reminders about using the potty.

16. Wonder if you will ever be able to complete another sentence without the words “pee,” “poop,” or “potty” in it.

17.  Put child in pull-up for bedtime and tell him that he did a good job and that tomorrow, he’s going to use the potty just like a big boy!

18. Open up that bottle(s) of wine.

19. Repeat the following day.

20. Good news: this usually doesn’t last more than 3 days. Perhaps stock up on 3 bottles of wine from the start.

As much as potty training drove me insane, it took about a day and a half of this with my oldest and then he never had another accident. With my middle, it took a little less than 3 days.

Here’s to a quick potty training experience with my youngest!

Note: Everyone approaches potty training differently. For me, I thought that my kids should be able to handle getting undressed/dressed by themselves for the most part and be capable of getting themselves on the potty alone before trying to potty train. Because that way, after I worked with them for a few days, I could mostly remove myself from the process instead of having them get used to me helping them with everything. This is why I waited until they were around 3 to try to potty train.

Other moms start earlier/later and use different methods of potty training. If you have written a post about potty training, please link it up here for all of us who are in potty training mode and need help!

Comments

    • Toddlers are able to control their bladder and bowels when they’re physically ready and when they want to be dry and clean. Every kid is different, so it’s best not to compare your child with others.

  2. I have been going back and forth about potty training my youngest. My son I waited till he was 3 years old and it happened fast.

    My daughter is 2.5 years old and I just don't know if she's ready.
    And staying home all day to work on it, I never seem to be able to stay home all day.

    What do you do when you are out in public? Do you carry a portable potty seat?

  3. This moment in life is when being in the middle of nowhere comes in handy. We were able to start by showing them they had the ability to pee outside.. Oh yeah that was the clincher for them. We led them inside by putting cheeerios or fruit loops in the potty to sink.

  4. OMG this CRACKED me up!!!! We did the three day thing and it worked great…but tried a couple times before that and he wouldn't do it. I think every kid just knows when they are ready.

    But I fully endorse anything that involves more wine.

  5. I hear from a lot of people who have had success with this method, but I have to say it just does not appeal to me. But, I suppose if I get desperate enough.

    I don't have any advice, just a philosophy that potty training should be child-led. We are letting our daughter go at her pace. She just turned 2 and I don't think she's ready, but she wants to try and I am letting her. If she gets to 3 and is not there yet, I might try your approach! 😉

  6. My first 2 were easy-peasy. We they trained, they rarely had accidents nor wet the bed. Baby Girl, on the other hand, with her renal problems, well that's another story.

  7. All of my kids were trained in less than 48 hours, in fact Jake did it himself.

    Why?

    Well, I waited until they were older like 3/3.5 and I used the tips and tricks in the book 1-2-3 Potty Training.

    Fabulous!!!

  8. I love your list. I'd like to add that one should buy wipes in bulk as well.

    My daughter was potty trained early and she practically did it herself. I thought having her as a role model and the experience myself, my son would be easy as well. He was a nightmare!

    I hope your youngest sticks with the 3 days or less as well.

  9. We are almost there. Almost. Of course, my training takes months upon months upon months. I blame it on having him in daycare and not being able to just do it hardcore for a few days.

  10. Good luck, I hope it goes quickly and smoothly for you! I HATE potty training, my boys think it's such a nuisence to waste their play time to run to the toilet and do their business. They have no problem peeing on characters, one of them said "Deigo wanted to go swimming." Eventually they all get there though, right?

  11. Strangely, I'd never thought about having to actively potty train kids.

    I guess I thought it was a skill they eventually picked up, like cats.

    Bummer.

  12. I seriously need that potty DVD for my daughter. There are days where she is really interested in using the potty, I think she has gone twice in it. Then there are days she doesn't want anything to do with the potty.

  13. I love it! We are in the process of trying to potty train our lil cowgirl and she likes to sit on it but doesn't go on it and she likes to streak. I can't keep diapers, pull ups or chonies on her. Thankfully we haven't had an accident yet! (knock on wood)….
    Thanks for sharing 🙂

  14. character undies…sometimes they work, sometimes they are just good for peeing in! Good luck to us!

  17. This post is so timely in my life. I just quit trying the other day and decided to wait a few weeks, months, years… no not years. 🙂 Anyway. I'll have to work up my bravery and try your methods.
    Thanks for sharing! I have trained two children but they were both hard, I didn't learn anything!

  18. I got really lucky when it came to potty training. My mom did most of it because she watched Paige at that time. The first time we thought she was ready was around 18 mos. She was very interested in the potty and wanted to go. She got frustrated after a couple of days so we gave her a break. Not long after (a few weeks from what I can remember) and she pretty much decided it was time for the potty and we were good. I couldn't have done it without my mommy and some princess panties!!

  19. LMBO! …Carpet cleaner. Yep. My little one is driving me up the wall. He's shown signs of being ready, but it was insanely early so I put him off. Now he's 2 and he's taking his poopy pull-up off by himself AND he won't wear regular underwear. I'm going to lose my mind.

  20. I figure I'll have to take some time off for potty training – which leaves me wondering "wonder if I should just try to do it when I'm home on maternity leave with our next (eventual) kid?"

    Because apparently I'm trying to make myself insane.

  21. omg thanks for posting this. not only was it comical, but it was useful lol. I am potty training my 2 1/2 year old right now [well more like trying to test the waters to see if I should just hold off till she turns 3 in August]… I just ordered the dvd you mentioned and will definitely give it a try!

  22. I am so so so happy I never have to go through this stage again! It was way tougher than I had imagined!! Esp because I had extremely strong-willed children who wanted to wait until THEY were absolutely ready!!

    I linked up a comical post too! If nothing else, we have to maintain our sense of humor during this phase of life!

  23. I'm dreading this with Bruiser. He just turned two, but I'm waiting until he can reliably get out of his clothes and has a better sense of having gone poop. He's still not really aware of the whole bathroom thing. So we wait and I dread the coming process.

  24. I have managed to get by on candy, a potty seat and of course, the character underpants. I guess I have to start thinking about doing this pretty soon again, I've got a 2 1/2 year old. Ugh. Not looking forward to it…

  25. Three days? THREE DAYS???

    Wow. Should've used the Shell method, I guess. Our potty training marathon went on for months. All three times.

    Bright side: I enjoyed some mighty fine wine during those months. *sigh*

  26. I swear I don't think I had any kind of plan when I was potty training. It just somehow worked out. I do recall the second being so much easier because he wanted so much to be just like his big brother and use the big boy toilet. Only problem was, he refused and skipped the potty chair altogether so I was constantly cleaning up his spillage off the bathroom floor. Oh wait, I'm still doing that. They don't ever outgrow it!

  27. Just added my link. The first kid was pee trained in 3 days. No lie. Even at night. But poo? That took 6 mos. That's the story in my link.  The 2nd kid? Decided to try it not long after he turned 2. He tried himself, mind you. We had no issues. Amazing how different kids can be. Good luck girl!-

  28. i have a very similar approach as you do – and i had more than a few of my share of m & m's.

    🙂

  30. YES. I agree with your methods, especially the wine.

    Both my kids pee trained relatively well, but OMG poop. My oldest, for seven months after being pee trained, would go into his room, get a pull-up, go to the bathroom, remove his clothes, put on a pull-up, and poop in it. I was like, dude, it would be so much less work for all involved just to sit on the g-d toilet.

  32. I think that #13 should be hi-lighted and bold faced. I definitely agree.

    I haven't written mine down because I know it will invite criticism because I do it EARLY……..
    1. I can't afford two in diapers simeotaneously
    2. I try to get to them before they get stubborn and smarter than me!

    What are you doing to do with all your diaper savings??

  33. I think this is a great method! I know that if I tell my mom about this she is going to be completely blown away by the entire concept and wonder once again why stuff like this wasn't around when she had kids.

    Anyway, I sure remember potty training my stubborn sister (who would rather run around with the pot on her head than use it for what it was meant for) and my brother who basically couldn't have cared less and even though this sounds like a looooong few days, it's preferable to weeks or months of frustration. Or years.

  34. I wish I had known you back then because this wine advice is good stuff!

    My daughter learned at 2 1/2, but my son was nearly 4. I'm so glad all that's behind me now.

    Good luck with your youngest!

  35. Good luck to ya! You're so good. I never do this. I just wait til they say they don't want to pee in a diaper anymore because I can't stand this part. I'd drink all three bottles the first day!

    Though Cooper doesn't need to be potty trained to start school in the fall…hmmm, may need to try this and get really really drunk.

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
    http://www.mawhats4dinner.com

  36. I LOVE that wine worked its way into the list so early on! Ha! And we've done the same calculations on the cost per pair vs cleaning out the poop. 🙂

  37. Theta Mom was looking for potty training advice today! You should tweet this link up to her!

    Also, filed away for the future, and it's coming soon!

  38. I love it! Thanks for the tips weve been trying to potty train and its been tough! We took my son outside and left him bare bottom and well #1 went ok but #2 he kinda left us a present in the yard and told us after the fact! LOL

  39. Ha! I loved this!!! We did the same thing with Sadie- COLD TURKEY. And lots of wine- for me, not her. She had lots of water b/c she doesn't like juice. I agree about waiting until they are ready! I am so coming back to this post when Tyler is ready!

  40. That's definitely one of the reasons I'm waiting, as well. At least with diapers at the moment, I have some flexibility with regard to when I have to wrestle the Babby's clothes on or off. But if she was asking to use the potty every five minutes because wants an M&M and then I have to wrestle her clothes on and off, too? Ack.

  41. Your list looks like my list.
    Only thing different was we had a sticker chart right by the toilet. 🙂

  42. I love your list. I need to give JDaniel an M&M for trying. He doesn't seem to want to try ever.

  43. I have not written about potty training. Mostly because i try to block those memories out of my mind.

    We were doing pretty good with it…and then we moved right in the middle.

    That is my advice…do not plan potty training around a move.

    Here's to quick potty training at your house this week!

  44. Wow! Thirty minutes? We did every 15. And if we went to 15 and 2 seconds, there'd be pee on the floor. Just for my first.

    My second REFUSED to go when I asked her. I soon realized it was because she didn't actually have to go. She trained herself.

    Dreading #3.

  46. One day there will be a “Shell Say’s” book at Barnes and Noble – and it’ll be mine – should be one now I think – amazing, funny. and I never even potty trained little ones.

    These words and really made me smile. Thank you.

    God Bless you and all of yours

  47. This post is fabulous! The intermittent wine mentions were funny. My kind of potty training! A treat for the successful toddler, and a treat for Mama. LOL. With my first, she was in daycare, so they did the hard day time work, but they did a similar thing with every thirty minutes, a very routine approach and eventually she was trained. At home we used a sticker chart which seemed to work for her. I have twins to train in the not so distant future…..that will require wine for sure!

    . Thanks for coming by my blog today and for the follow! 🙂

  48. oh yes I totally agree with the M&M's!!

    My son was in undies right at 24mths daughter was wearing panties at 20 1/2 months. No I am not bragging I just HATE buying and changing diapers. Which is weird since I still have to do it for the 2 kids I watch every day, at least I get paid to change their diapers and I don't have to buy them:) I am trying to get the older of the 2 kids parents on board with potty training but not sure it is working, they must not mind the nasty poopy diapers on their 26month old.

  49. Hahaha I am still laughing out loud at this too funny post… which is so very timely.
    I have just begun to try potty training my thrid as well.
    Ugh.
    I am so not looking forard to it.
    But three days ya reckon???
    three days I can do.
    I better get in some wine….

  50. I think I will follow in your footsteps on #11 & #18. 😉 I'm so glad you did this list & the link-up because I'm tackling potty training next week with my oldest!

  51. I think I will follow in your footsteps on #11 & #18. 😉 I'm so glad you did this list & the link-up because I'm tackling potty training next week with my oldest!

  52. I so don't miss those days.

    The only thing I'd add would be Cheerios… but I think I'm jumping ahead of the game… that's how I got my son to pee standing up… throw a few Cheerios in the toilet and make him aim!

  54. Girl we can go through this together! I am sort of potty training my 2 yr old. He tells me when has to go the potty and has been going on there on and off for awhile BUT I am waiting until spring so I can strip him down and let him run around nude…Wait now that I am saying this out loud, why am I waiting if he is ready? Oh because I know how much work it is! Good luck!

  55. hahaha I love you!!! Potty training sucks!!! With boy #3, I just let him decide…of course, I bribed him with a shopping extravaganza..but no accident 🙂 One more kiddo to train. I hate potty training…ugh!!!

  56. This is a great post, you know how much I needed it. Our whole potty training weekend got foiled by the flu. I'm ordering Potty Power and starting over, after I buy a case of wine.

  58. This post comes at an excellent time. I just stocked up on booze, and my son is almost 3. (and has no interest in the potty so far…) but I'm trying to talk it up!

  59. I'm getting the heebie jeebies just thinking about potty training my youngest! Can we say avoidance?!

    I, too, wait until they can be somewhat independent and showing interest and ability (IE: regularly dry after naps, or telling me when they're going, etc.).

    Your list is perfect! I would only add potty books and at our last house we had real toilet seats that had the little seat built in- you could lift and choose your seat size. I thought that was genius as well!

    Good luck!!

  60. For us the peeing part is going really well. We coaxed him with jelly beans. Then yesterday for the first time he pooped…I coaxed him with ice cream. I hope be doesn't expect that all the time 😉

  61. I am storing this knowledge away from when my day comes.

    PS The fact that there is a potty power dvd is too good for words.

  62. First, I have to say you rock being able to potty training 3 boys…I only have one of each and training Brad was much more difficult than Emily. Both of my kiddos were late in that area too but they didn't end up going to Kindergarten not being potty trained…(I wasn't sure there for awhile)…we were 3 with both of them which seemed like forever.

  63. They have a DVD for this?!? Amazing! LOL, I love the use of character themed underpants 🙂

    Filing this away for someday.

  64. Saying hi from SITS. I'm in teenager mode – got any advice for that ??!!! I don't envy you all the potty training but as you say, it only lasts a few days. The teenage years go on for a long, long time 🙂

  65. So can I have Sangria instead of wine when Jellybean's time comes? Then again can I have it now since the little booger has been fussy all day?

  66. Sounds like you have it down. We are potty training Buddy, but it has proven to be especially difficult. His previous foster home spanked him for any kind of accident. I was also told that he was forced to sit on the potty in the bathroom by himself for a couple of hours at a time. So needless to say we are having issues. :-/

  67. Reading this is actually really encouraging for me. I know we're going to end up trying to do the three day thing. We're going to have to try a little earlier than 3 (Peanut needs to be basically potty trained by the time preschool starts). Great suggestions – esp about the wine!! xx

  68. I loved reading this, so funny! I had a similar experience, and it worked! Unfortunately, my daughter spent a weekend with grandma and grandpa and all our progress went out the window.

  69. Haha. Anticipating this time in my life with trepidation.

    I think I should stock up and begin drinking wine now, though. That part of the process sounds pretty good…

  70. This is hilarious.

    I hated potty training. I gave up with Natalie and she eventually just did it on her own.

  71. I am so glad my potty training days are OVER!

    I also used the dollar store as a bribe. And I tossed lots of stinky unders – it just isnt worth the cleaning sometimes! lol

  72. I wish somebody had shared the alcoholic beverages tip with me when I was potty training! That's where I went wrong. I did it sober!

  73. So what do us non-drinking types use to get through it 😉

    My son was a process, but my daughter pretty much did it herself. Time will tell with the third

  75. I'm going to have to do this for my youngest very soon, and he's only 2. But he needs to be trained before he starts school in Sept.

  76. It's like a potty training boot camp. I am hoping it goes smoothly for you and for my little one that is starting to show interest!!

  77. Ah ha! See, I didn't have wine for the potty training! Therein lies my problem! 🙂

  78. Potty training drives me insane too. I'm taking a breather for the next year and a half but I will store your post away because I have a feeling I'll need it. Especially the wine part. :-))

  79. Three days?

    And never another accident?

    What is the secret? I think it's the wine. I didn't think of the wine….

  80. Ugh, potty training. I am so glad you shared this old post, we are about to start this process with Bink to hopefully get it over with before Baby 2 gets here… Or maybe I should wait until I’m not pregnant so I can have the wine!

    • The wine makes it easier. 😉

      We potty-trained my oldest about 2 weeks before my youngest was born b/c I wanted to cry at the idea of having 3 in diapers.