Potty Training your Princess

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Potty training doesn’t have to be a long, stressful, or depressing chapter in parenthood. With the right mix of motivation, tools, and a little creativity, you can help your child feel proud and confident as they transition out of diapers. When I trained my daughter, these are the exact items and strategies that made all the difference for us—and hopefully they’ll help you too!

Find the Right Motivation (aka: “The Award”): Every child has something that lights them up—find that thing and use it as a reward for potty success. For my daughter, it was a Ryan’s World Egg (remember when Ryan was everywhere about 5 years ago?). Knowing she’d get one once she filled her chart gave her the motivation she needed to keep trying.

Your child’s “award” doesn’t have to be a toy—it could be a special outing, extra playtime, or even a treat they love. The key is making the goal exciting and personal.

Create a Potty Chart Kids love visuals! A potty chart is a simple way to show progress and build excitement. You can: DIY one at home with paper and markers, Print out fun designs (Etsy has tons of adorable downloads), Keep it simple with a plain checklist

The magic really happens when you add stickers. My daughter loved picking her own sticker each time. We did 1 sticker for pee and 2 stickers for poop—and it worked like a charm. (https://amzn.to/4npgDDv)

⏰ Timed Toileting: Creating Consistency and Confidence: One of the most effective ways to support potty training—especially in the early stages—is timed toileting. This simply means taking your little girl to the restroom at regular intervals, even if she says she doesn't need to go. A good starting point is every 20 to 30 minutes.

Why is this helpful? Because young children are often so focused on play or other activities that they don't notice they need to go until it's too late. By building a routine, you're helping her body and brain sync up and recognize those cues earlier.

Even if she doesn’t actually go during a visit to the bathroom, that’s okay. The key is consistency. You're creating a calm, low-pressure environment where she can try without feeling rushed or stressed. This reduces accidents, builds confidence, and can prevent the frustration that sometimes causes setbacks.

As she becomes more aware of her body’s signals, you can gradually stretch out the time between trips. But in the beginning, that regular schedule is a great way to lay a strong foundation.

Make On-the-Go Training Easy: This was a big one for me. I personally wasn’t a fan of sitting my little one on public toilets. That’s where the Oxotot portable potty (https://amzn.to/3V6vruG) became a lifesaver! It’s compact and folds easily, You can keep one in the diaper bag and later in the car, Even my now-8-year-old can use it in emergencies when there’s no bathroom available

The Oxotot brand has disposable bags that have a small absorbent pads at the bottom but there are other universal bags that also work and are slightly cheaper (https://amzn.to/4njLG3m) Another option I recommend are oversized toilet seat covers. The thin paper ones in public restrooms rip so easily and don’t give peace of mind. The waterproof versions are way sturdier, though keep in mind most aren’t flushable. The flushable version I buy are oversized so I don't have to worry about my clothing or my little ones legs swinging and touching the underside of the toilet (https://amzn.to/45y6iiu)

Potty Training Panties: Accidents are part of the process, and that’s okay. Training panties are a helpful middle ground between diapers and underwear (https://amzn.to/4mV7Aub). They’re absorbent enough to handle small accidents but let kids feel wetness so they understand the connection. They’re also reusable and way cuter than diapers, which makes kids want to wear them.

At-Home Training Seats with Steps: Toilet training at home is so much easier with the right seat. We used a child-sized toilet seat with built-in steps that fit on top of our regular toilet (https://amzn.to/4niY03Q). It made my daughter feel independent and safe—no wobbling or fear of “falling in.” Plus, it’s much more comfortable than trying to balance on a big adult toilet.

🌟 Praise the Good — And the Not-So-Good — Moments: Potty training is a learning journey, and like any new skill, it comes with ups and downs. That’s why positive reinforcement is one of your most powerful tools—not just when things go perfectly, but especially when they don’t.

Celebrate the wins! When your little girl uses the toilet successfully, offer enthusiastic praise. A high five, a happy dance, or even a sticker can go a long way. Let her know how proud you are, and use clear, encouraging words like, “You did it! You listened to your body—that’s amazing!”

But what about the accidents? They’re part of the process, too. And your response in those moments matters just as much. Instead of showing frustration, stay calm and supportive. Say something like, “Oops, that’s okay! Accidents happen. Let’s try again next time.” This keeps her confidence intact and reinforces the idea that mistakes are normal—not something to feel ashamed of.

By praising both the effort and the outcome, you’re teaching resilience and helping her feel safe as she learns. Potty training isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress, and your encouragement helps her keep moving forward.

Final Thoughts: Every child’s potty training journey is unique, but having the right tools on hand can make the process smoother (and less stressful for mom and dad). The combination of motivation (stickers and rewards), the right gear (portable potty, seat covers, training panties), and a positive, playful attitude is what helped us succeed quickly.

Potty training doesn’t have to be scary—it can even be fun!