Free Potty Training Chart & Tips For An Easy Transition

This Potty Training Chart is a great way to help you track and encourage your little one as they transition from diapers to underwear. We just finally made it through this transition with our son, and let me tell you, I am one proud mom! I’ve now officially potty trained two children!

Potty Training Chart & Tips For An Easy Transition

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I love using a Potty Training Chart to track progress and to help give me an idea of when I can reward for progress in the midst of one of the hardest challenges during toddlerhood. This transition, for me at least, seems to be one of the hardest so far.

Being a parent is all about those phases in life. Kids transition from infants to toddlers so fast, and then suddenly they are off and running to preschool and Kindergarten before we know it. While I am happy to no longer need to buy diapers or wash cloth diapers anymore, I am also sad to see the dependence on me fading as my son moves on to independence more each day.

Let your child lead

One of the most important things I have learned in the potty training journey is that while we may want it to be over fast so we don’t have to spend money on diapers, we cannot rush our children. Boys and girls tend to potty train differently and at different ages. Some say girls are easier while others say boys are. This will vary by child. There is no one set age your child should be perfectly potty trained by. Let your child lead you.

With my first, I started to push her towards potty learning when I thought she should be using it, but she wasn’t ready yet. Once she was, she seemed to potty train quick. My son needed a little more encouragement to do it and I found a lot of helpful tips in this book, Potty Train in a Weekend. We hung in there and he is fully potty trained now with an occasional accident.

Prepare with the right tools

Having the right tools on hand is important. Some families use disposable underwear like Pullups. Other families prefer to go straight to traditional underwear. There are many opinions on this, and you can read tons of books about the best methods. Do what is best for your family.

I love the idea of using a smaller potty chair beside the regular toilet, but you may also just want to use a step stool and have your child use the regular toilet. Adding special soaps, wipes, and hand sanitizer in the bathroom is also effective in teaching proper cleaning tips. We are huge fans of the Kandoo Kids Products for this. All of these things can be used alongside the potty training chart to help keep your kids on track.

Be patient and expect accidents

I would like to say I never got upset when an accident happened. Unfortunately, there have been times when it just happened inconveniently and the exhausted hard working mom that I am was annoyed. Not with my child, but with poor timing. One thing the potty training chart can help with is to keep a record of accidents. You can easily track when they happen, and watch for trends. This can help you to manage situations better, and prepare or prevent them from happening in the future.

Reward your child for their accomplishments

It sounded so weird to me when people would tell me about giving their kids rewards for going to the bathroom. Isn’t that something you are just supposed to do? Well, let’s face it – a small sticker or a treat when they go in the potty instead of their diaper or underwear can make a huge difference for your kids.

I prefer giving them something other than a food reward, but sometimes those are the best. Stickers are a big deal for some kids. Other kids like things like a bigger prize if they go so many days without an accident. I love the idea of giving an experience or a book as a reward. My daughter was very motivated to learn how to use the potty because she wanted to attend preschool. She absolutely loved putting stickers on her potty training chart while I sang a little celebration song after she used the potty.

My son didn’t care as much about stickers, but he liked getting M&Ms. It’s been a month and a half since we ditched diapers and he hardly gets them anymore, but they helped with the initial motivation and routine. Some other rewards my kids loved include going to one of the play center locations in Milwaukee or perhaps buy them a new set of My Little Pony Phonics Books or Star Wars Coloring Books.

Print your free Potty Training Chart below to use with your toddler as he or she transitions from diapers to real underwear!

Use this potty training chart and our tips to manage this great change in your little one’s life. Children grow up so fast, and it’s time to embrace those changes as a great thing in their life and yours!

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