This post was in partnership with Pampers but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
"One kid milestone looms large over toddler parents—potty training. Even if nearly all kids learn to use the potty by the time they’re off to kindergarten, toilet training is a process that often causes stress and frustration. I can attest as a parent who failed during my first attempts at potty training… twice. It’s only because of my eventual success that I have some weekend potty training lessons learned to share with other parents approaching this toddler milestone.
First, the most important thing I learned through my failures is to let your child lead. They need to be showing signs of readiness to use the toilet. For example, my 18-month-old loved sitting on the little potty we bought her, so my husband and I thought she was ready to start potty training. And at the time, my friend’s 18-month-old was already using the toilet, so we thought why not be done with diapers?
After a majorly frustrating weekend of attempting to potty train, even with M&M’s as an incentive, my toddler was back in her diapers. It took over a full YEAR before she showed more signs of potty-training readiness, like staying dry for longer periods, going in private places to do her business, and telling us when she needed a diaper change.
Pediatric physical therapist Mary Noreen Cheng agreed that this readiness step is crucial in an article for The Everymom: “If you begin training prior to this, your child is likely not ready. And the process will be very frustrating.” Yes, I’ve been there. But I’m also on the other side with two toilet-trained kids. So if you think your toddler is ready, here’s how to prep to potty train in a weekend.
Swap Diapers for Training Pants
Let’s be honest, toddlers don’t knock before coming into the bathroom, so they’re familiar with what goes on inside. But they might not be familiar with some of the practical parts of potty training, like pulling their pants up and down or wiping. In preparation, try swapping diapers for Pampers Easy Ups leading into potty training weekend. That way littles can practice wearing and pulling down Easy Ups—with the same cut as “big kid” underpants—but you won’t have to worry about messes as they start learning.
Easy Ups have dual leak-guard barriers with up to 100 percent leakproof protection. Plus, they’re super soft and feel more like comfy cotton undies. The 360 stretchy waistband also makes it quick and easy for little ones to pull down themselves when they really have to go. And just in case they don’t make it in time, Easy Ups have easy-tear sides to make removal extra quick.
Even if your weekend potty training plan is pantsless, you’ll still want to have training pants and wipes on hand for leaving the house, nap time, or overnights.
Pampers
Choose from fun Bluey and My Little Pony designs to help build excitement for your little one.
Avaiable in sizes 2T-3T to 5T-6T, conveniently find your kids’ perfect fit online now!
Pampers
Just cause they’re using the toilet doesn’t mean the wipes are officially gone. Toddlers won’t fully learn how to clean themselves for quite a while, so wipes are a much easier way to ensure they stay fresh and clean. These plant-based wipes are five times stronger than leading brands, hypoallergenic, and fragrance free.
Prep the Space for a Weekend of Potty Training
Your little one will need easy access to the bathroom with a stool and potty seat or a kid-sized potty. Additionally, you can even put a potty in the living room or play space where they spend most of their time. Have books to read or other activities to do as they sit on the potty for each try. Trust me, it’s better than the meltdown sure to come when you ask them to stop playing to take a potty break.
Roll up any hard-to-clean rugs or have the carpet cleaner nearby for potential accidents (they will happen). Have your reward chart ready if you’re planning to use one. Download our free potty training reward chart here!
Target | OXO
I bought this minimalist kid’s potty off our local parents group, and it lasted through two kids. It’s perfect if you need an extra for the living room, too.
Target | FridaBaby
This potty makes a realistic flushing sound, which many kids find exciting and motivating when learning. Additionally, the seat comes off to fit on an adult-size potty, plus a stool to make it easy to reach—and wash their hands.
Target
One of my kids’ potty-training favorites, I read this interactive lift flap book on repeat.
Target
Use these fun puffy stickers as a goal-based system to keep kids motivated during potty training, with making milestone achievements something to look forward to!
Plan to Stay Home
My husband and I are homebodies, so making a plan for no plans is one of our favorite things. So when deciding which weekend to potty train, you’ll want to limit your outings. That way, you can easily prompt your toddler to use the potty. Let them go naked or pantsless. And your little one will be less distracted and (hopefully) more apt to notice the signs of needing to go potty.
Build Excitement and Stay Positive
You know your kid best. Will they respond to incentives like a toy or sticker chart? Or will they be content with praise and a high-five?
I remember my mom kept an unwrapped toy on top of our fridge for months when my stubborn younger brother refused to use the potty. He eventually got the toy, but it wasn’t a strong motivator for him. One of my kids was strongly incentivized by M&Ms, while the other just started to hate having a wet diaper.
Every kid is different, and regardless of whether you choose to use incentives or not, positive reinforcement is key. Stress can lock things up for little ones if you know what I mean, and kids sense our stress. So keep it upbeat and encouraging, and avoid shaming them for any accidents.
What to Expect After a Potty-Training Weekend
Be realistic about what “success” looks like post-weekend potty training. Don’t expect your toddler will be accident-free after one weekend (or that going poop in the potty will come as easily). You’ll still need to plan on frequent reminders, pack spare clothes, and practice wiping for years (sorry, but it’s true). Not to mention overnight training can take a lot longer (which is why Easy Ups can be a mattress saver, too!).
Back to my potty-training failures: When it was time to train my youngest, I seemingly forgot everything I’d learned the first time. (Moms of two or more kids know that a lot more is going on to remember the details of your first potty-training go-round.) On the first try, we did the three-day potty-training method, stuck to a routine, and asked for daycare support when she went back on Monday. But it just didn’t work.
So we took a deep breath and an intentional pause from potty training. I watched for more signs of readiness, and, eventually, she took herself to the potty for the first time. After only a few accidents at daycare, she was toilet trained within a week or so.
So remember, even if you’ve prepped to potty train in a weekend that doesn’t go as planned, you can always wait and try again. In fact, there is also a benefit to waiting. According to data from author and researcher Emily Oster, the later you start potty training, the easier it usually is. So no need to rush the process (unless your childcare provider requires it, then you might need to bank on those M&Ms).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.
This post was in partnership with Pampers, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.