I have a friend from college who has two kids and a blog in which he writes about their exploits (and some of his own). He wrote a post last week about his younger child and their first steps on the road to potty training. It put me in mind of some potty experiences that I’ve been having lately with a young friend of mine.

Potty training seems to be either the best or the worst. Parents often brag about their child’s ability to train themselves if it was easy for them and lament the travails of accidents and underwear if it is not. There are so many tips and techniques for quick and painless potty training that it’s difficult to choose. Parents magazine does a good job of consolidating tips from parents that have worked for them.

I have definitely been using the incentive route to promote the potty. Candy corn is hard-ish to find “out of season,” but it has become synonymous with the term “potty treat.” I had been using the potty treat simply as a reward for using the potty, but after some accidents (always occurring when play would have been interrupted by a trip to the potty), I have begun using the treat as a reward for dry pants as well. “Are your pants wet or dry?” Woo hoo! Dry pants!

Tip #7 from Parents is also a winner. A timer or potty watch that helps to remind kids that it’s time to go can give them more ownership and responsibility (ideally) over their own toileting habits.

And one idea that I’d like to try comes from Supernanny’s website. Number 8 says to set aside a special toy or book for use only on the potty. We read and sing on the potty, but having one coveted item that can only be used during potty time is just another incentive for getting there and staying there.

So, is it time to go potty? Yes!