Your approach to potty training

[matildaworm]

Dd is 2.5 and I think has been ready to attempt potty training for a while. We've had the potty around, she understands it's to wee on and sometimes sits her dolls on it etc.

For various reasons, mainly not having the time to stay at home for days on end, I've put it off and waited til I felt she was definitely ready but I think next week is the time to bite the bullet. From Friday we will have 3 free days where we can stay at home if needed then hopefully nursery will support it from Monday onwards.

But how do I actually begin? Just take her nappy off in the morning and tell her all wees on the potty now? Would you exchange for pants or just do bare bum for the first day? I have done this before but not for many years (eldest now 11!) and ive forgotten how I started it with him. Only that it was a nightmare.

Sitting first but make sure their penis is not over the top of the potty front or the toilet seat or else they will pee straight forwards and not down. If you close his legs over the top then it makes sure it goes down. A longer potty is useful for boys for this reason. The round ones are useless! When he is used to doing wees then I would say tell him to push it down himself.

When standing they usually pee down their legs if they do not lean in or are too far away so leaning them forwards and sometimes a gentle push on their bum to make sure their pelvis area is forwards helps it go into the bowl!

Thanks @KeenGreen and @whippy1981!!

We did naked waist down for a day and watch them for their cues. They need to learn the feeling of needing to go so none of the sitting on the potty constantly, only when they need to go.

Only ever stayed in for a day, and made sure to give lots of options, potty, toilet with toddler seat, big toilet. Lots of practise in toilets out and about- you don't want to just teach then to go in one place or you end up carry a potty around with everywhere.