Marissa is the writer of "ThePracticalMommy" and owner of Mommy Knows What's Best. She's a former teacher and a stay-at-home mom to four.

Potty Training Toddlers

Potty training toddlers seems to be every parent’s worst nightmare. Just thinking about it can make the best diaper-changer run for the hills! As a recent potty trainer myself, I can tell you that with the right tricks or tips and the right potty up your sleeve, you can have a potty-trained pro in no time.

Disclosure Notice

This review was not endorsed or affiliated with Fisher Price. I was not compensated in any way. I bought this seat on my own to use. The review is my own honest opinion.

Potty Training Success: A Great Potty Seat

Before my son was even remotely ready, I conducted online research for his first potty. I considered convenience, durability and price. I found a few to consider, including the Fisher Price Cheer for Me! Potty. This potty seemed pretty simple to use for parent and child while being neutral in gender (in the event I had a girl next—which I did!) and fun in its design. It had a detachable seat (with handles) that could be used on a regular toilet, a removable capture container, a sensor that rewarded each ‘incident’ with a song, a noise making flushing handle, and a toilet paper holder. Also, it had one of my must-haves for a potty chair—a detachable splash/misplaced fountain catcher for boys (if you have a boy, you know what I mean!).

Compared to older potty chairs I have seen my mother use with my younger siblings, this potty chair is far superior. It's much more entertaining for the kids, has a real toilet look, has a sturdy base for less spills, and includes a detachable seat when your child is ready for the 'big potty'.

Fisher Price Potty

Potty Training a Toddler with the Potty Chair

The potty chair has lived up to my standards. My son enjoyed its presence at first, and then he learned to use it (with a chart and sticker system, of course) like a pro. He enjoys being rewarded with a catchy tune each time he makes magic happen as well. For me, it has been easy to clean and maintain. Space-wise, it’s small enough have in any private place in the house.

After using the potty chair for several months, my son easily transitioned to using the 'big' potty (the toilet). I cleaned the potty chair with a mix of bleach and water, and now it will be stored away until my daughter is ready to potty train.

When to Start Potty Training

The average age to start potty training is around 18 months. Some parents start earlier, usually around one year of age, while others wait until their child is older than two years of age.

It's never too early to start introducing the concept of potty training to your toddler. Even before you think he or she is ready, start talking about it. Demonstrate how a potty works. Start asking if your toddler has to go to the toilet. The more interest you show in it, the more interesting it will seem to your toddler.

Potty Training a Toddler

1. Make it potty training seem like fun! Sing songs while your child 'practices'. Read some books. Play "I spy". The more distractions you present, the less likely your child will try to get up and run away.
2. Try using an incentive. For my son, we used a sticker chart that I found as a template and made it personal. It was a train with a track, but I made it the 'Potty Train' and added some pictures of potty training. He loved it! For every five stickers he earned, he received a little prize. When he filled in the entire chart, he was able to pick out a toy at the store.
3. Be consistent. Keep on trying, despite accidents. For some kids, using the potty comes naturally, but for others, it takes some time. Try to encourage using the potty every twenty minutes or so. Toddlers have a memory like a sieve when it comes to certain things, and might just 'forget' and use a diaper or pull-up anyway.

Potty Training Tips

Long Story Short

• Simple to use and clean
• Fun and gender-neutral design
• Catchy tunes
• Lots of smiles

Questions & Answers

Question: How come the potty I bought doesn't make the sounds it's supposed to? I put batteries in, and nothing happens?

Answer: It could be defective. I suggest taking it back to the store.

© 2011 Marissa

Comments

Marissa (author) from United States on November 11, 2011:

tillsontitan, thanks for reading and commenting!

Mary Craig from New York on November 11, 2011:

Nice information about potty training and that special potty chair!

Marissa (author) from United States on November 11, 2011:

writerspavilion, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading and commenting! :)

writerspavilion from India on November 10, 2011:

hahaha...nice and unique!! a good read:)

Marissa (author) from United States on June 05, 2011:

Thanks, DIYweddingplanner, for reading and commenting. I wish you a lot of luck with your 'new' adventures in potty training! :)

DIYweddingplanner from South Carolina, USA on June 03, 2011:

Hi TPM, thanks for the hub. I've found myself in the fortunate position of getting ready to start potty training an adorable little boy after an 11 year gap, so thanks for the review! Looks like a cute potty and really like the take apart factor, plus the sounds are always fun. Voted up!

Marissa (author) from United States on June 02, 2011:

No problem, SharkFuel! I'm glad you enjoy my writing style. :)

SharkFuel on June 02, 2011:

ThePracticalMommy, most of all that I like in your writing style is that you summarize a hub at the end. For example, here when writing Long Story Short you draw attention of readers on the most important benefits of a potty chair. I will keep in mind this writing tehcnique to apply for my hubs. You have taught me a great deal, thanks a lot!

Marissa (author) from United States on May 30, 2011:

The potty really did help keep the potty training efforts to a minimum as you suggest, SharkFuel.Thanks for reading and commenting! :)

SharkFuel on May 30, 2011:

Such a potty is very useful thing both for kids and their parents. I think that it will require the minimum of potty training efforts.

Marissa (author) from United States on April 14, 2011:

Congrats, ManuPria! It's a great accomplishment, isn't it? Thanks for reading!

ManuPria from India on April 14, 2011:

whew... my daughter is potty trained!!! she just completed two :)

Marissa (author) from United States on April 01, 2011:

Thanks for the encouragement, Harlan. Potty training my son was a learning experience, and I have some time before my baby girl will begin her training. Patience definitely is key to the whole process.

Thanks for viewing my article! :)

Harlan Colt from the Rocky Mountains on March 29, 2011:

My son learned right away, my daughter took longer. Every child is different. Just be patient and loving with them no matter what. They will come along at their own speed.

kind regards

-Harlan