The words “potty training” can invite excitement or fear in both parents and toddlers. Assuming you both have a good attitude about the process (and it might take a while before that happens at the same time), it’s time to dive in.

When you’re ready to start talking to your child about the toilet and the concept of potty training, you may want to ease them into it. First Quality Wonderpants Training Pants can be an excellent tool to getting your child to start understanding about how their body functions. When the design on the training pants fades, that means the diaper is no longer dry. But the pants will still absorb the wetness. Helping your child to understand the process may be less jarring than simply going straight from diapers to underwear.

Make sure that you notice and point out when a child seems like they may need to use the restroom. Always stay with them while they’re using a potty chair or the toilet. Reinforce their achievements, even if that achievement is only standing in the bathroom, observing the chair or toilet. Also encourage the child to sit on the potty while they’re wearing their diaper, or when they don’t have to go. The idea is to get your child used to concept of the toilet.

Once your child has been fairly consistent about using the toilet, take them on an outing to buy “big-kid” underwear. Keep in mind that there will likely be accidents, and they may take some time to stay dry during the night or during naps. If your child has outgrown diapers, but still needs them while sleeping, the Training Pants mentioned above may help, or Sleep Over Youth Pants.

Are you going through the process of potty training right now? Or have you already? What are some of your favorite tips?