Skip the potty and go straight to toilet??

[MrsLeclerc]

DS is 2.9yrs. We attempted potty training over Easter but he wasn’t ready and started getting worked up by talking about the potty. So we left it and decided to try in a few months.

He’s asked to read the potty books a few times and we’ve left the potty in the room and he’s got used to it being there. A few days ago he said he wanted to go to the toilet as we were walking past it. I sat him on there, we had a chat for a bit then he wanted to get off.

Today he sat on the potty clothed and I asked if he wanted a wee. He said he wanted to do a wee in the toilet. DH took him up and he did a wee straight away.

I’m wondering if we should just keep trying him on the toilet rather than possibly confusing the issue with the potty? I know some people skip the potty altogether.

How often should we be trying him on the toilet now? I feel underprepared as this has started out of the blue!

We didn't bother with the potty, we bought one and DS would put his Teddy on it but didn't attempt to sit on it. Was happy to sit on the toilet though with one of the seat things. Personally I would follow his lead to start and let him try when he says he wants to and see how it goes. I also used to try the loo before bathtime.

the people I know who have struggled with the potty training (coincidently boys) all had an easy transition to the loo with some steps and a loo seat.

Do what works. Use the toilet. You can leave the potty downstairs for deperation. It just makes it more tricky when going out.

We had a potty from age 2, tried all the time with DD to get her to go. She only ever did 2 wees on it. Bought her a Peppa Pig step and she went straight on to the toilet on her 3rd birthday and never went back! Much easier than constantly emptying and cleaning the potty too.

I didn’t bother with a potty mainly because I could not be bothered to clean more poo off things if I could help it!

Dd had a step and seat and it was totally fine. We have a downstairs loo that made it easier, but keeps your fitness up having to dash upstairs holding a child!

Of course you can skip the potty stage! Do whatever works best for your child. Going straight to the toilet is quicker anyway (no potty to clean/ accidentally kick over).

The potty was good for one of mine , I gave it a go with DC 1 but rapidly converted to step and loo, DC3 used step plus loo all along. No need whatever for a potty if it suits you.

We didn't bother with the potty either as I think it's totally grim letting them go to the loo anywhere but the bathroom

potty just went in the back of the car for emergencies when out. Otherwise, AFAIR, we started by just sitting her on the toilet (child seat) every couple of hours and saying 'try for a wee/poo'. Didn't make a fuss if she didn't do one, or if she had an accident. Kept it very low key. Used night pants for about a year after stopping nappies in the day.

We skipped the potty stage, as she just wasn't interested in using it. We bought a family toilet seat which has a kids sized part in the middle and an adults size underneath. Just remember to warn guests that the kids part lifts up before they use the loo!

Thanks for the advice.
I think we’re going to try the toilet tomorrow and see how it goes.

DS thinks the potty makes excellent toy storage but not a lot else

Definitely going to look into a family toilet seat. We’ve got a kids one that slots over the top at the moment but that sounds easier!

Yeah potties are a waste of time and money. We put our five straight on the toilet.

My 3 also went straight on the toilet. Less grim, less mess and so much easier when you're out of the house, as you can let them use other people's toilets/public toilets (though one of mine did get scared of the bowls so had to carry a child toilet seat thing for a bit, the baby Bjorn one was the best by miles).

If we were in a park they could wee behind a bush or for the very occasional outdoor poo I'd carry spare nappies and nappy sacks and they could hover over one of those so I could dispose properly.