Michelle,
No he’s not sitting for 3-5 minutes. He’s sitting for ten to fifteen seconds. I’m not sure how to lengthen his sitting ability on the potty. I have some rewards. I honestly can’t use food he’s not food reward motivated. Doesn’t even like candy.
So far he’s sitting for fifteen seconds maximum. I’d hate to employ screen time or a book but maybe it’s time to do that exact thing.
Answer:
So that is where we need to start, we want to practice sitting and then we can move to actual potty training, Here is a quick start guide to get you started. Review it and tell me if this makes sense.
🚽 POTTY POWER QUICK START PROTOCOL
The 2-Phase Potty Plan That Gets Results
This is your no-fluff cheat sheet to get started NOW, whether you're prepping for a potty intensive, working with ABA, or just finally ready to stop saying “we’ll try again next week.”
🔁 PHASE 1: POTTY PREP (Build the Sit Muscle)
GOAL:
Train your child to happily sit on the toilet for 3–5 minutes at a time.
🔹 Step-by-Step:
Buy a Digital Kitchen Timer
Mount it with a command strip near the toilet. Pick one that counts down and beeps loudly.
Start With Success
Begin at a time length you know your child can handle maybe 10 seconds or 1 minute.
Practice Multiple Times Daily
No strict rules here. Aim for 3–6 sits a day. More reps = faster results.
Use a Clear Visual + Verbal Cue
“When the timer beeps, you get up and earn a reward!”
Build Duration
Add 5–10 seconds per practice round. Don’t announce the new time. Just bump it up slowly.
💡 Sit Rewards (ONLY For Sitting, Not Peeing):
Pick something simple but motivating. It needs to be desirable but not the best thing ever (we save that for potty eliminations). Some examples:
Tickles
Blowing bubbles
One small jellybean or cracker
2-minute dance party
Spinning a favorite toy
A silly sound effect app
Pushing the flush handle (if that's exciting)
➡️ Important: Whatever you pick must be only available for sitting. Do not use these rewards anywhere else.
💬 Tip: Anytime your child asks for something they want (snack, iPad, outside, etc.), say: “First sit, then you can have it.” This keeps potty practice happening naturally throughout the day without needing to remember a timer schedule.
🚨 PHASE 2: POTTY LAUNCH DAY
Set a date. Build the hype. On this day, diapers come off (except naps and nights), and we go all in.
⏱️ On/Off Protocol
Sit on the potty for 3–5 minutes
Off the potty for 10 minutes (Up to Age 5, Age 6 and up, start with 20 mins off 3-5 mins on)
Repeat this cycle all day.
Restrict movement to one area near the bathroom (so you can get them back fast).
💧 Fuel The Flow:
Offer salty snacks + high-preference drinks every 30–60 minutes.
Use fun cups or silly straws if it helps encourage hydration.
Run them around the room, build that THIRST!
🎁 Elimination Rewards: Must Be SKY-HIGH
If your child pees or poops in the toilet, this is your Super Bowl moment.
Reward ideas (pick 1–2 MAX and reserve them only for elimination):
M&M or Skittle dispenser
5-minute iPad turn
Mini chocolate bar or favorite treat (only given for potty success)
Prize box with mystery blind bags
Access to a favorite toy you’ve hidden (e.g., bubble machine, kinetic sand)
Push the “big red button” (remote control toy, sound box, etc.)
➡️ You must withhold this reward completely outside of potty success. No sneak peeks, no exceptions.
🧼 What To Do With Accidents
Stay calm. No eye contact. No lectures.
Say: “Uh oh. Pee/poop goes in the potty.”
Hand-over-hand guide child to:
Remove soiled underwear
Wipe themselves (you help as needed)
Put clean underwear on
Clean up mess together (wipes, spray, paper towels)
Reset the cycle and keep moving.
This isn’t punishment, it’s a natural consequence. Accidents = chores. Toileting = treasure.
✊ BONUS PRO TIPS
Use a countdown calendar to potty launch day. Let your child mark off each day.
Let them pick their own underwear, superheroes, colors, etc.
Decorate a potty reward jar or treasure chest together to build anticipation.
Teach a hand sign for potty (ex: shaking fist) and model it every time it’s potty time.
If your child asks for something, reply with: “First sit, then __.”
Keep it FUN. Energy matters. If you dread it, they’ll dread it.
🚀 Final Thought:
No matter where you’re starting from—verbal, nonverbal, resistant, curious—this protocol works when you stick with it and lead with belief.
You’re the one who makes this happen.
So that is where we need to start, we want to practice sitting and then we can move to actual potty training, Here is a quick start guide to get you started. Review it and tell me if this makes sense.
🚽 POTTY POWER QUICK START PROTOCOL
The 2-Phase Potty Plan That Gets Results
This is your no-fluff cheat sheet to get started NOW, whether you’re prepping for a potty intensive, working with ABA, or just finally ready to stop saying “we’ll try again next week.”
🔁 PHASE 1: POTTY PREP (Build the Sit Muscle)
GOAL:
Train your child to happily sit on the toilet for 3–5 minutes at a time.
🔹 Step-by-Step:
Buy a Digital Kitchen Timer
Mount it with a command strip near the toilet. Pick one that counts down and beeps loudly.
Start With Success
Begin at a time length you know your child can handle maybe 10 seconds or 1 minute.
Practice Multiple Times Daily
No strict rules here. Aim for 3–6 sits a day. More reps = faster results.
Use a Clear Visual + Verbal Cue
“When the timer beeps, you get up and earn a reward!”
Build Duration
Add 5–10 seconds per practice round. Don’t announce the new time. Just bump it up slowly.
💡 Sit Rewards (ONLY For Sitting, Not Peeing):
Pick something simple but motivating. It needs to be desirable but not the best thing ever (we save that for potty eliminations). Some examples:
Tickles
Blowing bubbles
One small jellybean or cracker
2-minute dance party
Spinning a favorite toy
A silly sound effect app
Pushing the flush handle (if that’s exciting)
➡️ Important: Whatever you pick must be only available for sitting. Do not use these rewards anywhere else.
💬 Tip: Anytime your child asks for something they want (snack, iPad, outside, etc.), say: “First sit, then you can have it.” This keeps potty practice happening naturally throughout the day without needing to remember a timer schedule.
🚨 PHASE 2: POTTY LAUNCH DAY
Set a date. Build the hype. On this day, diapers come off (except naps and nights), and we go all in.
⏱️ On/Off Protocol
Sit on the potty for 3–5 minutes
Off the potty for 10 minutes (Up to Age 5, Age 6 and up, start with 20 mins off 3-5 mins on)
Repeat this cycle all day.
Restrict movement to one area near the bathroom (so you can get them back fast).
💧 Fuel The Flow:
Offer salty snacks + high-preference drinks every 30–60 minutes.
Use fun cups or silly straws if it helps encourage hydration.
Run them around the room, build that THIRST!
🎁 Elimination Rewards: Must Be SKY-HIGH
If your child pees or poops in the toilet, this is your Super Bowl moment.
Reward ideas (pick 1–2 MAX and reserve them only for elimination):
M&M or Skittle dispenser
5-minute iPad turn
Mini chocolate bar or favorite treat (only given for potty success)
Prize box with mystery blind bags
Access to a favorite toy you’ve hidden (e.g., bubble machine, kinetic sand)
Push the “big red button” (remote control toy, sound box, etc.)
➡️ You must withhold this reward completely outside of potty success. No sneak peeks, no exceptions.
🧼 What To Do With Accidents
Stay calm. No eye contact. No lectures.
Say: “Uh oh. Pee/poop goes in the potty.”
Hand-over-hand guide child to:
Remove soiled underwear
Wipe themselves (you help as needed)
Put clean underwear on
Clean up mess together (wipes, spray, paper towels)
Reset the cycle and keep moving.
This isn’t punishment, it’s a natural consequence. Accidents = chores. Toileting = treasure.
✊ BONUS PRO TIPS
Use a countdown calendar to potty launch day. Let your child mark off each day.
Let them pick their own underwear, superheroes, colors, etc.
Decorate a potty reward jar or treasure chest together to build anticipation.
Teach a hand sign for potty (ex: shaking fist) and model it every time it’s potty time.
If your child asks for something, reply with: “First sit, then __.”
Keep it FUN. Energy matters. If you dread it, they’ll dread it.
🚀 Final Thought:
No matter where you’re starting from—verbal, nonverbal, resistant, curious—this protocol works when you stick with it and lead with belief.
You’re the one who makes this happen.