When we say Triple P has parenting resources for every stage of parenting, we mean EVERY stage of parenting! Even potty training a strong willed child. If you are ready to potty train your kids or have tried potty training with no luck, you can reach out to Northwest NC Families to connect with your local Triple P Provider, and we can work through this stage of child development together.

For now, check out this overview of potty training with Triple P, and you can think about how these ideas could work into your potty training routine or how your kids will respond to potty training when you are ready to get started.

3 Basic Potty Training Tips

Ask yourself: Is my child ready for potty training?

There are a few signs that your kid is ready to learn how to use the bathroom. If your child is communicating with you when they need to potty, complaining about being wet, or undressing themselves, it could be time to start potty training.

Prepare your child for potty training.

Before you embark on the crazy journey of potty training, you can set your child up for success with a bit of preparation. Talk through the process of using the bathroom (when we have to potty, we go to the bathroom, pull down our pants and underwear, sit down for a minute, wipe our bottom, pull our pants back up, flush the toilet, and wash our hands) and have them practice flushing the toilet and washing their hands. You can also teach your child the words you want the family to use for potty training (pee, poop, bottom, etc.).

Have realistic expectations and be patient.

There is no one formula for successful potty training. Let your child learn to use the potty at their own pace and remind you that you are here to help them. Every day you stay patiently persistent with your child’s potty training is one day closer to them having the hang of it on their own. Even if they are not learning on your schedule, they are learning on their schedule, which is okay!

Potty Training A Strong Willed Child

Pay attention to how your child responds to each stage of potty training.

You know your child best. Keep an eye on how they respond to potty training through each step of the process. Just because your cousins potty trained their kids in one weekend doesn’t mean that will work for your kids, and that is okay! Parenting practices change all of the time, and you can adjust those guidelines to work for your family. Avoid forcing your children to potty train before they are ready – we recommend keeping the process as positive for them as possible to make the transition smooth – even if it takes a little longer than you would like.

Prepare your poker face.

There is no easy way to say that sometimes our kids like to act in certain ways because of how we react. Keep this in mind as you begin potty training, especially potty training a strong willed child. Accidents will happen in this process, and keeping a neutral face and attitude will keep your kids from seeing the potty training as an opportunity to get a rise out of mom and dad.

Practice patience on patience on patience.

Patience is almost a combination of working on that poker face and noticing your kids’ responses to potty training. Giving yourself and your child room to figure out the potty training process in your own time will help keep this transition as smooth as possible. Use diapers or pull-ups at night and for naps as long as you need to. Pack diapers for time away from home if your kid needs that. There is grace in each step of the potty training process to make it work for your family without causing excessive frustration. To each person caring for a child in the potty training stage (and beyond), we are proud of you, support you, and think you are doing a great job.

Potty Training a Strong Willed Child with Triple P

Connect with Northwest NC Families to find your local Triple P provider and potty training support. We are your local guide to Triple P resources in the high country. If you are looking for parenting support and resources in Avery County, Alleghany County, Ashe County, Watauga County, and Wilkes, Northwest NC Families is here to support you!