Motherhood is tricky. Especially with a toddler. Every time I feel like we hit a great groove it’s time for a tricky transition! Whether it be time to nix the bottle and switch to a straw cup, bid farewell to the beloved pacifier, or turn that crib into a big kid bed I felt like there was always some big event always lurking around the corner ready to torment our smooth flowing days.
So when my son started showing signs of potty training readiness during a very hot August, instead of putting it off I decided to embrace it. Some major pros of deciding to potty train during the summer were:
Environment
The idea of being indoors all day really freaked me out, but with a potty training toddler it’s really hard to be on the go. So with the summer heat, I decided it was best to take our endeavors into the backyard instead of putting our white furniture at risk of accidents. It also made cleanup for any accidents way easier. I found that this made me way less stressed, which in turn helped create a happier and more easy going environment for my son.
Fluids
Being outdoors in the heat led to one great thing that really helped us, lots and lots of fluids! During my research prior to starting potty training one thing that popped up repeatedly was that having your child drink enough fluids can prove to be tricky. I found being outdoors in the heat {in safe increments} helped us a lot. Jon naturally reached for his water bottle very often so it was not a point of contention for us. A bonus to help beat the heat was also popsicles, a fan favorite.
Activities
A big perk of the summer months is all of the outdoor activities. I found that if we had a fun engaging activity it helped take the stress off of all of the potty talk. It can be really stressful for a tiny human. Some go-to activities for us were using a water table, “painting” the patio with paintbrushes and water and gardening.
Clothing
Obviously it’s hot in the summer time, especially here in the Houston area. So one natural perk that came with the heat was lighter weight and easier to use clothing. Jon hadn’t yet mastered pulling up his jeans or bulky sweatpants independently however light weight shorts were a breeze for him and really made our life a lot easier.
I’ve come to find there is never a “right time” for a major transition, however I’m glad I embraced the season and used it to help benefit the process.
