The Secret That Makes Potty Training Easier? The Prep Phase!
I hear from parents all the time: “We ripped the diaper off and just went for it… and it’s been so much harder than I thought it would be.”
We all hope potty training will be a breeze — just a natural next step in our toddler’s development. But for most kids, it’s a BIG transition. And jumping in without much warning can be overwhelming — for both of you.
Here’s something most people don’t realize: potty training doesn’t start when you take the diapers off. It starts before that - with a preparation phase.
A gentle preparation phase can help the whole process feel more grounded and a lot less stressful - for both of you.
What is the Prep Phase?
A preparation phase is a gentle lead-in to potty training where you introduce the concept long before there's any pressure to use the potty. It’s about laying a foundation — helping your child become familiar with the bathroom, the language you’ll use, the idea of what their body does, and what it means to go potty.
When the time comes, it won’t feel brand new - it’ll already be part of their world.
How Does the Prep Phase Support Your Toddler’s Growth?
The prep phase isn't just about getting your child to use the potty. It's about making them feel ready. It:
✨ Builds confidence, so your child feels they can do it
✨ Reduces pressure, so it’s fun, not a test
✨ Nurtures trust and connection, making it a positive experience
✨ Boosts body awareness, so they can recognize their own signals to go
✨ Normalizes the process, so the potty feels less intimidating
With all this support in place, your toddler will want to cooperate — not because they have to, but because they’re ready.
Why the Prep Phase Is a Game-Changer for You
The prep phase might seem simple, but it makes your potty training journey way less stressful. It helps create:
✅ A toddler who’s excited to sit on the potty because it’s familiar
✅ Less resistance + power struggles because you’ve built a foundation of trust
✅ Fewer accidents because they’ve already started to understand their body
✅ A smoother transition out of diapers with fewer false starts
✅ More consistent potty training progress because routines and expectations are set early on
How Do You Actually Prep?
The good news? Prep doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about planting little seeds to help your child understand the potty and their body. Here’s how to get started:
Read potty books together
Watch short potty videos
Use simple language like “pee” and “poop” during diaper changes
Let them explore the bathroom - even just with flushing or washing hands
And while those early steps make a big difference, there’s even more you can do to help things click — like teaching your toddler how to recognize what it feels like to need to go, how to listen to their body, and what to do when they get that feeling. All of that can happen before you even start, and it makes the transition so much smoother!
Ready to Start?
If you’re thinking, “This all sounds great… but I’m not totally sure how to teach those things,” you’re not alone — and that’s exactly where my potty training guide comes in.
It goes beyond the basics and walks you through how to help your toddler understand what the potty is for, what their body is telling them, and how to feel confident — all before day one.
And it’s all done in a way that’s natural, playful, and actually fun for both of you.
Ready to make potty training smoother and stress-free? [Click here] to get started today.