On The Go Potty Training Tips

This post is sponsored by Pull-Ups^® Training Pants.
Summer from Elevate Everyday is here again to talk about every mom’s “favorite” time of life: Potty Training.  In the land of potty training trails I think the most stressful is “On The Go” Potty Training.  If your household is like ours, you are always on the go and there is little time to be stuck home for more than a day or two.  We have 2 different school drop off and pick up times, ballet class, tee ball practices, church activities and family events that can’t be missed.  After a little trial and error I discovered that it can actually be a breeze with the right strategy and these On The Go Potty Training Tips.

First, I suggest that you do actually stay home the first few days to introduce the basic potty training concepts.  I shared my must have list of potty training essentials in a post a couple weeks ago to help get you started.  Also, based on research and observation of personality types in young children, Pull-Ups and child development expert Dr. Heather Wittenberg recently introduced a whole new way to potty train with the Pull-Ups^® Potty Partnership. They developed five potty training personalities with the new Potty Partnership – Puppy, Bear Cub, Squirrel, Turtle and Owl.  To find out your child’s potty personality, take the potty personality quiz at Pull-Ups.com, and get tools and advice to help you and your child partner together throughout the potty training journey.  It customizes potty training from the very beginning, so taking the quiz was our first step!

A little word of encouragement – don’t be concerned if you’re little one is having little tantrums or expressing some frustrating behaviors, this is common! Watch this video from Dr. Heather Wittenberg for tips to get through the stage when your child might be frustrated with potty training and has poor behavior as a result.

Next, take inventory of your “tool box” (AKA diaper bag) to make sure you are properly equipped for your outing.  You are going to be getting into it often so make sure it’s one that can be easily accessed at a moments notice.  It is a big help to have a bag that can go from “handsfree” to shoulder or cross body carry quickly.  When we are walking through busy parking lots or using the potty I like to wear my bag as a backpack so I have both hands keep kids safe and help my toddler in the restroom.  If we are running errands I like to have it on my shoulder so I can quickly get treats, wipes, keys and my wallet.

Anytime you are potty training and especially on the go,Pull-Ups^® Training Pants are an absolute must!  Save the cute undies for when you are home and can easily clean up any accidents.

• Pull-Ups® Training Pants are designed specifically to help teach potty training skills. They look and fit more like underwear, giving your child the independence to slide his pants on and off, while also providing consistency for any learning style throughout his potty training journey.

• The stretchy sides allow toddlers to slide Pull-Ups® Training Pants on and off themselves, teaching valuable skills they can apply later when taking off their pants and underwear to use the potty.

In short, Pull-Ups® will save you time while you are out so you can get back to business quickly.  When you are taking 10-15 trips to the potty everyday those extra minutes really add up!

Another piece of advice I learned to potty train on the go is to remember that your toddler’s mind doesn’t work like yours does. They might not even realize that potties exist in places outside your home, so potty training away from home can be tough. Toddlers also crave familiarity, and going potty in a new place isn’t always comfortable for them. Whenever we go out, we always go on a “potty seek and find” mission as soon as we get wherever we’re going. We take care of our immediate potty needs, and also learn where the bathroom is in case we have to go back. This was always really reassuring for my little one, and kind of kills two birds with one stone.

Finally, make it fun!  Kids rarely enjoy trips to the grocery store (unless it’s sample day), paying bills and going to the bank so find a way to make these outings a game.  I created this free printable reward chart to help you with that and Pull-Ups has one too.  Before you leave the house talk together about where you need to go, what needs to be accomplished and have them decide what reward they want to work for.  This creates a partnership with your child and I love that Pull Ups promotes that with their Pull-Ups® Potty Partnership.

Don’t make it too difficult to get a reward – taking steps in the right direction is all that matters. Before you leave the house talk together about where you need to go, what needs to be accomplished and have them decide what reward they want to work for. This creates a partnership with your child and I love that Pull Ups promotes that with their Potty Partnership.

• The Pull-Ups® Potty Partnership begins the first time toddlers put on a pair of Pull-Ups training pants, symbolizing their promise to work together to navigate the world of potty training.  
• The Potty Partnership is introducing a whole new way to potty train – a system that brings your child into the process as a true partner, tailored to his or her unique personality and how they learn.

And don’t be stressed if there is a little bit of regression, especially when you’re traveling and away from home.  Just help your son or daughter work through it.  If you ever find yourself worrying about regression, check out another video from Dr. Heather Wittenberg where explains what to expect from accidents during potty training, and what it means for your child.

I hope these tips will help build your confidence to get back to your regular schedule when potty training and make it a fun experience for your entire family.  No matter how you tackle potty training Pull-Ups® Training Pants are designed specifically to help teach potty training skills. Try them now at your local retailer and visit the Pull-Ups.com to learn more about the Pull-Ups® Potty Partnership and discover your child’s potty personality.

Wishing you continued success in your potty training journey!

Special thanks to Joanna Miriam Photography and Jen from Through the Make Up Mirror for helping capture this “on the go” potty training moment that we will cherish for a lifetime!