How to Prepare for Potty Training
Most parents think potty training starts the day you ditch diapers. But one of the biggest secrets to potty training success is what you do before you even start.
It’s called the prep phase, and learning how to prepare for potty training can make everything smoother, faster, and less stressful. It’s like a potty training superpower!
🧠 Why Potty Training Preparation Matters for Toddlers
Toddlers thrive on routine, predictability, and practice. If potty training shows up out of nowhere, it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even scary. A simple potty training preparation phase gives your child time to:
Understand what’s coming so it doesn’t feel like a surprise.
Build body awareness (learning what their signals mean before the big transition).
Feel confident and included instead of pressured.
Connect potty time to play so it feels fun, not stressful.
Think of it like teaching a toddler to swim: you wouldn’t toss them straight into the deep end. You’d start with splashing, kicking, and floating. The prep phase is your “shallow end” for potty training.
🌟 What to Do Before Potty Training (Big Picture)
During potty training prep, you’re not aiming for dry undies yet - you’re building the foundation. You’re creating routines, sparking curiosity, and making the potty a normal, safe part of daily life.
The best part? This stage is completely in your control. You get to decide:
When you start talking about potty time
How you introduce it in a calm, playful way
Where and when practice happens
That means you can create positivity and predictability now - no matter what’s happening outside your home.
⚡ How Preparation Leads to Potty Training Success
When toddlers know what to expect, the actual transition is less overwhelming. Potty training preparation sets the stage for:
Smoother transitions (fewer battles, less pushback).
Faster progress once you begin.
A confident, curious toddler who feels supported instead of pressured.
💛 The Secret to Starting Potty Training Strong
A prep phase lays a strong foundation for your potty training journey. And once that foundation is in place? Potty training feels easier, faster, and way less stressful for everyone.
👉 Want the exact routines, scripts, and troubleshooting tools I teach parents in the prep phase? You’ll find them all inside my guide, Potty Training Playfully. It’s the step-by-step roadmap that helps toddlers (and parents!) go from stressed to successful.