Lessons Learned while Potty Training

I must say that potty training is the only time in my 30+ months of parenting in which I enjoy Doo heading off to daycare. No I am not one of those moms that would rather my toddler be in daycare instead of sitting home bursting with unsurmountable energy followed by loud screams, hits, and sprints - its just that they tend to know a little more about toddler mentality that I do.

It's been about 6-8 months that we have been progressively potty training and the last month Doo's training has been phenomenal. While at daycare Doo is averaging 1 accident a day and 5-6 potties - which in  my newbie mom mind is a great ratio. At home I can get 1-2 potties out of him and at least 1 accident a day which is a far worse ratio than daycare has and which I also blame on my weak mommy structure unconditional love and lack of consistency.

While trudging up the potty mountain continuing to hope that my toddler does not head into kindergarten with a diaper (at least he can successfully change that himself) I have learned some valuable lessons.

1. Don't ever ignore the "Potty" word when it comes from a child. We have gotten to the point where Doo says potty just to check and make sure that I am going to go rushing into the nearest bathroom and throw him up on the toilet. I am not sure if this simple act amuses him or if he is just testing the water to see what the term "potty" actually gets him. Rest assure however that cause and effect is a legitimate thing - especially to a toddler. 
2. Following along the lines of the above - be consistent. I quickly learned that at daycare (again where Doo is most successful) he is put on the potty every hour and always wears underwear. Doing these two simple things makes a toddler feel secure and comfortable, of course they thrive when they know what to expect next. I feel as though one of our biggest inconsistencies at home is being lazy and allowing him to wear a diaper while patiently waiting for him to come to us telling us he would like to pause his movie and head into the potty.  
3. Have a game plan. Know that everyone, including you, is on the same page with techniques and ready to persevere through every pee on the floor and every visit to a public restroom - regardless of whether we need to use it or not.  
4. Keep positive. We so far have had several set backs  however we remain positive about it. The bathroom has became public domain at our house fully equipped with books. Everyone uses it and accidents happen so remain positive, calm, and remember it will happen one day. 

While everyone has their own methods to potty training I feel as though the above lessons can become the base to any method you decide to use with your family. A few other tricks are to get them used to having their own portable potty, to put food coloring in the toilet water to increase excitement when it changes colors, get them their own undies which they pick out, get stuffed animals/dolls involved, and to set up a reward system - all of which have helped us out.

While I of course am not an expert on this topic or parenting in general I think these few simple techniques can lay a great foundation for the wonderful journey ahead. Please feel free to add some additional tricks or insight that have helped you along the way since I am a firm believer that in motherhood the best help is each other.