Potty training is a significant milestone, but when it coincides with a big trip, the anxiety can be real. Recently, our travels aligned perfectly with Nat’s newfound interest in using the potty. He had been doing great at home, but the thought of tackling this challenge in unfamiliar places had me questioning whether we should go at all. I even seriously considered canceling the trip.
But after some reflection, I realized canceling was probably an overreaction, and we decided to stick to our plans. I panic-purchased a travel potty seat, but in the end, decided to leave it at home and just go for it.
I did insist Nat wear a pull-up on the plane. Anyone who’s potty trained a toddler knows that when they need to go, they need to go! I wasn’t going to risk a bathroom emergency mid-flight with no chance to make it to the restroom in time. (Plus, who wants to deal with an entire row of urine-soaked clothes at 30,000 feet?)
Beyond that, we kept things as close to normal as possible. Our routine at home involved gentle reminders, and we found we needed to up those reminders a bit while traveling. There’s just so much more to see and do, so Nat wasn’t always as aware of his body’s cues as he is in a familiar setting.
One thing I’m especially glad I packed? A few extra trash bags so I had a place for any clothes that fell victim to an accident. I am a chronic under-packer, so I sprung for a load of laundry mid-cruise, and it was sooo worth it!
In the end, Nat did great! Not only did he maintain his potty progress, but the experience actually boosted his confidence. And one of the biggest wins? He’s now completely comfortable using any bathroom, anywhere, which is huge. There’s no longer a need for the comfort of home or familiar surroundings, no fear of automatic or loud flushing toilets (major win!). (The downside: he realized in the airport that I would RUN with him to the bathroom any time he said he needed to go…we ran A LOT of laps!!)
So, if you’re in the middle of potty training and feeling hesitant about traveling, my advice is to go for it! Bring the pull-ups for the times when you know you may not be able to make it to the bathroom quickly. Sure, it might slow the progress a bit, but I PROMISE you, they will all pee in the potty when they’re ready! Take the vacation, do the best you can, and celebrate any potty wins when they happen! 🚽
