If you have ever potty trained a child, you know it can be one of the worst parts of being a parent. Some kids are challenging to work with. They are either scared or stubborn or just plain uninterested. Then, of course, there are accidents, cleanups, and frustrations. It can be hard on everyone. But one TikTok mom swears she potty trained all three of her kids at just 2 years old or younger in three days or less. What is this sorcery?
Hollin Parkinson is a mom of three young children and Mrs. Idaho 2022. She's got some cred. But what about this potty-training business? How can we do this ourselves? She dishes all about her potty-training hack in a series of videos that shares her step-by-step tips. Parents all over are thanking her for giving them tools to help dump diapers.
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Can you really potty train a tiny toddler that fast?
Parkinson says when a kid is ready to potty train, they will give you "cues." These are primarily nonverbal and may be signs that they are ready. She tells parents to watch for things such as a child crying when they go potty in their diaper or taking their diaper off when they sleep. She also says kids who are curious about the bathroom and who want to be with you whenever you go also may be ready. They may ask questions or pretend to change a baby doll's diaper.
"With each of my children, I openly talk about the bathroom with them from the moment they can understand the word mama or dada. I'm positively encouraging them like, when you're big enough, you'll go on the potty just like mommy or just like daddy," she explains.
Next, Parkinson wants us to go shopping and ditch the diapers.
Kids like choices, and letting them get in on undie shopping is the perfect way to help them have a bit of control over the situation. If they pick out their favorite color or character, they will likely be more apt to try it.
She also says all diapers and pull-ups must be gone the night before you start training. "You don't want this to be a plan B," she explains.
Parkinson says you are more likely to give up if you have alternatives around. Getting rid of everything the night before helps to prepare the whole family for the next three days.
If you want this to succeed, you must pump liquids and high-fiber foods into the child.
To successfully potty train, a child has to actually use the potty, so Parkinson says we need to give them lots of liquid and fiber. And have plenty of rewards available. If your kid likes suckers or fruit snacks, have some on hand. Stickers, bubbles, and small toys also are wonderful incentives.
This might be the most challenging part of all for parents ...
Ditch the phone for the next three days.
"If your child starts to have an accident and you're on the phone, and you don't pick them up immediately, you're going to miss that opportunity for them to connect that when I'm feeling this sensation, I need to go to the potty," Parkinson explains.
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Ultimately, this is up to the kids.
If you want your child to potty train successfully, the little one needs to be in control. To get her children to tell and to use the potty, Parkinson says, "Remember to tell mommy when you need to go potty, OK?"
She repeats the phrase so the child realizes the importance of recognizing the feeling of having to use the potty and will let her know.
When a child starts to have an accident, she recommends we scoop them up and use her magic phrase with positive reinforcement. As soon as they are on the toilet, she says again, "Remember to tell mommy when you need to go potty, OK?"
After watching her TikTok, parents felt a sense of hope.
Plenty of moms and dads struggle with their kids and potty training, and they appreciate Parkinson's tips.
"Thank you so much I'm in the middle of potty training my daughter month shy of two," one mom wrote.
Another parent was thrilled to have the tips. "Definitely needed these as my son turns 2 next week and going to start potty training!! ," one comment reads.
"If these tips works for me son I might owe you my life lol. I tried everything i can now this is a new target," another hopeful mom wrote.
Parkinson promises lots more info for parents and tells them to stay tuned. She just posted a TikTok about advice for those long potty-training nights, and it's another must-watch.
