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Potty Training Toddlers: How to Easily Potty Train Your Little One

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Today we are going to talk some poopy stuff. Potty training it is— a real deal in every parent’s and child’s life. Potty training is about breaking a lifelong habit. The thought can be haunting and the task can be daunting for any parent. The first and the most important thing is to start it with the right mindset by being prepared for what is coming so that it doesn’t end up into a bathroom battle of sorts. With few basics in mind, we can make the transition easier and smoother. Here are some tips to help you potty train your toddler with ease.

What is the right age to start potty training?


The best time to start potty training a toddler is between 18 to 24 months. While some children may be ready earlier, most are not developmentally ready until this age range. Before starting, it is also important to assess if your toddler is ready. Signs that they may be ready include being able to stay dry for around 2 hours and being able to follow simple instructions. Also, they should be showing some interest in the process maybe when they do their own thing or watch somebody else do the thing.

Preparing for potty training

Last few weeks I’ve been training my little one. My experience with him was completely different that what it was with my first born. While the first one took only two days to be completely off the diaper, the second one took about a month to completely understand the cues. So the first thing we need to be prepared as parents is that each child is different and they will take their own sweet time.

Also, it is important to prepare your toddler. You can talk to your toddler about the process and why it is important to learn to use the potty. Use words like “pee pee” and “poo poo” often to make them understand the process in simple terms. Sensitizing your little one with books and movies is always a good idea and makes the process so much fun and easy.

Also, you need to be prepared with the right clothings and equipments. Clothes that have loose fitting and are easy to take off and on are a good bet. It is also a good idea to invest in the right potty chair or a potty seat, training underpants. Some of the products needed are discussed below.

Potty training products

Potty chair

The most essential potty training product is a potty chair. Most potty chairs come with a removable inner bowl for easy clean-up, and some models even feature removable splashguards for extra protection. Potty chairs are available in a variety of sizes and styles, so it’s important to choose one that is comfortable and fits your child’s needs.

Potty seat

Another important potty training product is a potty seat. Potty seats are designed to fit on the seat of an adult toilet and make it easier for a child to use the toilet independently. Potty seats come in a variety of sizes and styles, and some models even come with a step-stool that makes it more comfortable to use. Go for the type and model that suits you.

Toilet training pants

Toilet training pants are also an important potty training product. They are designed to fit snugly and help a child stay dry during the potty training process. Toilet training pants are available in a variety of sizes and styles. While some people prefer cloth diapers during the process, some might prefer the ones with special absorbent layers that provide extra protection against leaks. Have a good time picking your favorite pants, may be with some of your child’s favorite character to make it more interesting for your child.

Books and videos

Books and videos are the best medium to communicate to your toddler. Books are my personal saviour too. I sensitize my child with books for every upcoming life event. It is not only highly effective in communicating the message but it also keeps my child engaged and entertained.

Potty stickers and training charts

Potty stickers and charts provide a great way for children to track their successes and encourage them to keep trying. You can celebrate every little success with the help of a little sticker just for them to know that they did something right.

How to potty train a toddler successfully

1. Start when your child is ready

The best time to start potty training your toddler is between 18 to 24 months. This is the time when they have the physical and mental capacity to understand the process. Starting too early might take a longer time to train while delaying it might also increase the duration while also creating health issues. As stated earlier, it is also important to understand the cues that your child is ready for the training process.

2. Use positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is the key when potty training toddlers. Praise your child when they use the toilet correctly and provide rewards for successfully using the potty. This will help reinforce the desired behavior.

3. Be patient

Potty training can take a long time and some toddlers may take longer than others. Don’t get frustrated if your child isn’t picking up the process quickly. Just keep trying and eventually they will get it.

4. Use right potty training products

There are a variety of potty training products available to help make the process easier. You must choose products that are a right fit for your child— training chairs, seats and even potty training pants.

5. Set a schedule

Having a set schedule for potty training can help keep your toddler on track. Toddlers have a natural urge to pee once they get up so a visit is must once they get up. Also, make visits at frequent gaps so that they get the hang of it, even if they don’t do their thing.

6. Make it fun

Potty training doesn’t have to be a boring or stressful activity. The hardest part is making your child wait. You can always make it fun by introducing games or activities that your child can do while sitting on the potty.

7. Have a potty spot

Have a designated area in your home, specially if you are using a potty chair, for potty training. This will help your child associate the potty with that particular area.

8. Be consistent

Consistency is the key when potty training toddlers. Make sure you are consistent in your approach and your expectations. This will help your child understand the process better.

9. Take breaks

Potty training can be stressful for both you and your toddler. Take breaks whenever you need to, so that you and your child get a chance to relax and reset.

10. Accidents happen and that’s okay

Be prepared for some accidents in the initial days of the training process. Even when your child is fully trained, accidents are a possibility. This should not be something that leaves you wondering or bothering.

11. Be gentle yet firm

Children need to be told what they need to. However, spanking and screaming never seek results. You’ve got be gentle yet firm in your approach when handling your toddlers.

10. Seek professional help

If you are having difficulty potty training your toddler, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Your pediatrician or a child psychologist can provide you with valuable advice and guidance.

Hopefully these tips will help you potty train your toddler with ease. Potty training is a challenging process but with patience and the right products, it can be much easier. Good luck!

A visit to LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Columbus

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Are you an avid fan of LEGOS®?

; or you can spend hours building your own LEGO® creations?

; or just that LEGO® in any form tempts you?

Then LEGOLAND Discovery Center is the place meant for you.

We visited Legoland Discovery Center at Columbus, Easton Town Center. It is an indoor LEGO® playground and a heaven for any LEGO® lover.

The admission price is $ 24 for children above 2 years and $ 25 for adults. Pre-purchased online tickets are available at a discount of $ 5. LEGOLAND memberships are also available at $ 60 per family with more than 3 members. Children under 2 are free. It’s open all seven days a week from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm except Saturday when it’s open until 8.00 pm. Adults must be accompanied by at least one child.

What you will find inside LEGOLAND, Columbus.

The place provides hours of fun, to LEGO® lovers. Here is a quick peak into what you will find there.

The first attraction is Kingdom quest that allows the riders to board on a chariot and rescue the princess using laser guns at skeletons, spiders and bats. Kids less than 4’3” must be accompanied by someone over that height.

You can watch an adventure 4D Lego movie at the Lego 4D Cinema. The one running on the day of our visit was Nexo Knights. It is quite a fun- be prepared to get a bit wet though!

Miniland is one amazing creation and one of the highlights of the Center. It contains LEGO® sized replica of favorite spots at Ohio’s three cities- Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Then there is Merlin’s Apprentice Ride that lets you paddle and soar. You must be 3’ tall to ride this. Those under 4’, must accompany someone over that height.

You can build your own vehicle and test on tracks built at LEGO® racers. Vehicle lovers are sure to have a great time building and finally racing their cars.

LEGO® City Play Area gives a good breather to kids for running, climbing and jumping.

There is DUPLO® Village and DUPLO® Farm for younger kids.

It’s your best chance to create almost anything under the sun at the LEGO Friends area.

You can also catch up special Creative Workshops with tips and tricks on building with LEGO®. Although, you need to check their schedule to catch up with their timings.

Amenities

The place is wheelchair and stroller accessible. It also has a small cafe with options like coffee, cold sodas, snacks and fresh meals. The party hall is especially available for hosting kid’s birthday parties. Unique shopping options are also available at the LEGO® store.

Give your own exciting twist to playing LEGOS®

The ways to play LEGOS® are just endless. With zillions of LEGO® pieces around at the Center, sky is the limit towards constructing marvellous creations. Even with your own set of pieces at home, you can experiment the following.

Build a famous landmark or your favorite building. You can just refer to any book or picture from your album for building any of your favorite structure. Also, you have instructions online to build a lot of well-known structures, like The Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Colosseum in Rome etc.

Merge and mix to create a new world on a particular theme. From a given set of LEGO® pieces create your own themes of a particular landscape or a setup. You can even encourage children to make up their own stories about their LEGO® creations.

Creative challenge. Time yourself and your friend to create something you have decided to. For example, you might start with a simple practice of building the tallest structure in a particular time period. This also teaches kids a lot about science. For example, here they learn the wider the base, the taller will be the structure.

Craft a character or an animal. Use your imagination or refer to any picture or follow online instructions to create anything under the sun– a robot or an animal or an object or any of your favorite character.

LEGOS® are not only helpful in building skills in kids like thinking, problem solving, focussing; the creations they make give a great a sense of accomplishment that can be extremely satisfying!

It’s time you discover your favorite source of LEGO® source or creation!

Those who are having it tough this Mother’s Day, we see you!

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Mother’s day is round the corner. The day which mamas all around the world look forward to– to be loved, surprised and spoilt.

And why not! It’s such a feeling of pride, fulfillment and joy for mothers to be appreciated for what they do.

However, it might be a tougher road for some amongst us. The day might come rubbing some of the hidden bruises. Truly, they are the special ones, and this is just to appreciate their enormous strength and worth which is beyond words.

The mother who is far apart from her children.

Step by step, she has been there to see her child grow. When he started to sit, she waited for him to stand. When he could stand, she waited for him to walk. When he learnt to walk, she taught her how to fly. Now when he has learnt to fly, he is somewhere making her feel proud- working, raising, achieving.

The pangs of separation are bitter. Sometimes she has meltdowns, tearing her world apart. But again she stands strong, defiant and unbewildered; instilling in herself the spirit she infused in her child. And she finds joy in his achievements, pain in his sorrows, mirth in his laughter and life in his life.

The mother who is hopeful– that she will hold her own child someday.

There she has been through the journey of innumerable prayers, moments of disgust, lost hope and revived faith. She in her mind, has made a million pictures of their unborn; lived a thousand unlived moments of holding, playing, cuddling, and rejoicing. She just can’t hold over the fact that how beautiful their life would be when it happens. Days, months and years have passed, she has learnt to live in acceptance and anticipation.

But this journey has given her something which is beyond the superficial. An unfazed faith that there is nothing above God’s will– faith that everlasting happiness is worth the wait. Forbearance– to stay strong through the most vulnerable moments. Hope– that the best time is yet to come. And above all, the blessing of togetherness with her other half, standing by her through thick and thin.

The mother who is bereaving the loss of her child.

This can be the most devastating thing that can ever be in one’s life.  The child, who brought a new ray of hope, is gone now. The pain is excruciating.  She has questioned the almighty, willed her own end over her beloved’s, stood hopeless at the altar– all of it, times and over. But the truth is she has him no more– lost to the disease, lost to the mishap, lost to the crime. God willed this to her and the reason is beyond her understanding. 

Amidst all the mayhem, she understands that this the time of test. From somewhere in the universe, she gets forbearance and strength to bear something unimaginable like this. She finds connection with God and learns to withstand the deadliest of challenges that life has thrown at her. She learns to part away from something so precious. It was given by him and taken away by him. This is something that teaches her to face any circumstance whatsoever in life.

Someone who has lost her mother.

There can be nothing more terrible than this. Even a thought like this is enough to run shivers down anyone’s spine. A mother is the first symbol of strength, love and dedication. When she is gone, she leaves a void that is irreplaceable and a burden which is heaviest to bear. The pain might grow less with time but the memory is un-erasable.

However, God always compensates for what he takes away. He sends angels to take care of those in distress. He gives them a stronger mind to withstand; and an ability to connect to a deeper level. And there she finds a whole new strength; and discovers life through a whole new perspective.

Unfathomable gift of strength and more power to all such women. I love you, Happy Mothers Day!