Welcome to Your Potty Party Playbook!
This is your go-to hub for everything you need to get Macky (more fully) potty trained—without the power struggles.
How to Use This Playbook
Step 1: Read through the core potty training strategies. These are the best, research-backed methods to help your child feel confident and in control.
Step 2: Check out Macky’s personalized strategies—this is her custom potty plan (for pooping) based on what we discussed in your 1:1 session.
Step 3: Start implementing, keep things playful, and trust the process.
Pooping on the potty isn’t about forcing—it’s about guiding. When she feels ownership over the process, your fam is much more likely to get it down.
Core Potty Training Strategies
These are the fundamental, research-backed methods that make potty training smoother, faster, and less frustrating. They work for most toddlers and are the foundation of your potty plan.
1. The Two-Choice Rule (Let Them Feel in Control)
Toddlers resist commands but love making decisions.
Offer two choices that both work for you.
Example: “Do you want to use the big potty or the little potty?”
Why it works: When toddlers feel like it’s their idea, they cooperate more easily.
2. The Yes Strategy (Remove Resistance)
Instead of “No, you can’t,” say “Yes, after…”
Example: “Yes, you can have story time! First, let’s sit on the potty.”
Why it works: Saying "yes" helps them feel heard while keeping your boundary firm.
3. When-Then Statements (Encourage Without Pressure)
Connect potty time to something they want.
Example: “When you try to poop in the potty, then we can put a sticker on your chart.”
Why it works: This keeps potty training positive and predictable without feeling like a bribe.
4. The Playful Choice (Make It Fun, Not a Battle)
Toddlers engage more when it’s a game.
Example: “Should we race to the potty like a cheetah or tiptoe like a ninja?”
Why it works: Play removes pressure and turns potty time into an adventure instead of a demand.
5. The First-Then Approach (Set Clear Expectations)
Helps toddlers understand sequencing and feel more secure.
Example: “First we sit on the potty, then we wash hands and dance to your favorite song.”
Why it works: This makes potty time predictable, which reduces resistance.
6. The Name It & Claim It Strategy (Reduce Meltdowns)
If your child is refusing, name what they’re feeling.
Example: “You don’t want to sit on the potty right now. That’s okay. Your body will tell you when it’s time.”
Why it works: Acknowledging their feelings diffuses resistance and builds trust.
7. The 3-Second Reset (Stay Calm and in Control)
If your child resists, don’t escalate. Take a pause.
Quick reset:
Unclench your jaw.
Take a slow exhale.
Remind yourself: “This is a process. We’ll get there.”
Why it works: Your child mirrors your energy—when you stay calm, they follow your lead.
Personalized Potty Strategies for MACKY
These strategies are based on what we discussed in our 1:1 session and are tailored to her personality, learning style, and challenges.
MACKY’s Strengths
Example: Loves independence → respond well to choice-based strategies.
Example: Highly verbal → thrives with verbal praise and storytelling around potty time.
Challenges We’re Addressing
Example: Resists sitting on the potty → we’ll use playful choice and when-then statements.
Example: Prefers pooping in a diaper → we’ll introduce gradual exposure to the potty.
Your Custom POOPING on the potty Plan
Morning Routine: [Specific steps based on your discussion]
Daytime Potty Use: [Custom strategy]
Poop-Specific Plan: [Custom approach for poop resistance]
Nighttime Strategy: [Custom approach for night training if needed]
Let’s Get the Party Started!
Keep it fun, not forced. The more playful and low-pressure this feels, the faster they’ll learn.
Consistency beats perfection. Some days will be easier than others—that’s normal. Keep going, y’all.
Celebrate wins. Even sitting on the potty to try and poop is a step in the right direction.
Next Steps:
Start implementing the strategies above.
Head to your Action Plan page for your step-by-step potty training timeline.