My Potty-Training Recipe: My Routine With My 2-Year-Old

This is really how our day was in the land of potty training.

4 pair of Dora the Explorer underwear

2 pair of shorts (after two we left them off the rest of the day)

Laundry detergent (for washing the clothes)

1 roll of toilet paper (maybe only half a roll)

Many squirts of hand soap

Gallons of water (flushing, hand washing, and washing machine)

PATIENCE! (Mom, Dad, & Grandma)

Paper towels & Lysol cleaner (for cleaning up puddle trail going down the hall)

Carpet cleaner & vacuum (for cleaning wet spot on carpet)

Lots of jelly beans (for all of the times she made it to the potty today!)

Tomorrow will be a whole new recipe!

My daughter is 2 years old and we have been taking it slow with potty training. Since I bought Dora underwear, she has been so excited to wear it and go on the potty. Some days are better than others and we always give lots of praise even if only a little drip comes out. She did well several months ago and then lost interest so I didn't want to push it; but now that she seems more interested, I think I better get with it and get this girl potty trained!

Here are a few important things to remember when training your toddler.

Be prepared to clean up messes and wash lots of clothes. They will have accidents and they should not feel bad if they do. They are learning and potty training is a process. My daughter wants to wear her Dora underwear, but when we go out, I put a pull-up over them just in case she can't make it to the potty. She doesn't mind and I don't have a mess to clean up in public.

Give lots of praise and use a reward system. Do whatever works for your child. I happen to have a toddler who loves candy so I use jelly beans or marshmallows (a few at a time) when so goes in the potty. She gets very excited! Cheer for them - make a big deal when they go - it is a big deal! You can do a sticker chart or drop a marble in a jar and give a prize when it is filled - do whatever works.

Buy underwear that they like. You can find them for boys and girls and with all different characters on them. They have white ones and basic colors, but I think it is worth it to spend a few extra dollars and buy the ones they will really be excited about.

Be patient with your toddler. It may take only a few days, but it will probably take several weeks before they don't have any accidents.

Be proud of their accomplishment. After all, this is quite a milestone for your toddler.