Potty Training at Home vs. Potty Training at Grandparents’ House

6 October 2025

Potty training is a huge milestone—for both kids and parents. It’s an exciting but often frustrating journey full of accidents, victories, and a whole lot of patience. But what happens when you’re not the only one guiding your little one through this process? Training at home is one thing, but what about when they're spending time at Grandma and Grandpa’s house?

Should the rules be the same? Should the approach change? And most importantly, how do you make this transition as smooth as possible for your toddler? Let's dive into the pros and cons of potty training at home versus at the grandparents' house and how to make it work in both settings.

The Comfort of Potty Training at Home

Home is where kids feel the most secure, and that plays a big role in potty training. When they train at home, they’re in a familiar environment, which can make the learning process much easier.

Pros of Potty Training at Home

1. Consistency is Key

At home, you control the potty training routine. You decide when and how frequently your child sits on the potty, what rewards they get, and how accidents are handled. Consistency helps reinforce learning, making it easier for toddlers to grasp the process.

2. Familiar Bathroom Setup

Think about it—your toddler knows exactly where the potty is, what it looks like, and when to use it. At home, you can keep their little potty in a consistent spot, making it easier for them to connect the signals from their body with the need to go.

3. Less Distraction, More Focus

Home is usually a controlled environment with familiar routines. There’s no overload of new toys, unfamiliar furniture, or doting grandparents eager to spoil them. This helps kids focus on learning to recognize when they need to use the bathroom.

4. More Control Over Rewards and Encouragement

You know what motivates your child best. Whether it's stickers, claps, or a special potty dance, you can tailor the encouragement to fit their personality. Parents also tend to be more consistent with the approach than grandparents might be.

Cons of Potty Training at Home

1. Can Feel Like a Power Struggle

Let’s be real—sometimes kids resist potty training just because it's something new. At home, they might feel more comfortable pushing back, testing boundaries, or outright refusing to participate.

2. Accidents Everywhere

Your child is learning, and accidents will happen. But when you're at home, those accidents are happening on your floors, couches, and rugs—not always the most fun part of the process.

Potty Training at Grandparents' House: A Whole New Challenge

While training at home has its advantages, potty training at the grandparents’ house introduces a unique set of benefits and challenges.

Pros of Potty Training at Grandparents' House

1. Extra Help and Encouragement

Grandparents are usually more than willing to help with potty training. Sometimes, a little extra encouragement from a different authority figure can have a surprising effect on a stubborn toddler.

2. A More Laid-Back Approach

Grandparents tend to be more relaxed about rules, which can take some pressure off both you and your child. In some cases, this can make potty training feel less stressful and more like a fun experience.

3. Exposure to Different Bathrooms

Training at Grandma and Grandpa’s house can actually help your child generalize their potty training skills. Learning how to use different bathrooms with different setups encourages flexibility and independence when using public restrooms or visiting other people’s houses.

4. Special Grandparent Magic

Let’s be honest—kids often listen better to their grandparents than they do to parents. If Grandma makes potty time sound like the best thing ever, your toddler might just buy into the process more easily.

Cons of Potty Training at Grandparents' House

1. Lack of Consistency

Grandparents love their grandkids, but they might not always enforce rules the way you do. If they let your child get away with skipping potty breaks or using a diaper "just this once," it can set back progress.

2. Different Bathroom Setups

Unlike home, where your toddler always knows where to find the potty, a new environment can be confusing. Maybe Grandma’s toilet is too high, or Grandpa’s house doesn’t have a potty chair. This can make some kids hesitant to use an unfamiliar bathroom.

3. Grandparent Spoiling

Let’s face it—grandparents love to spoil their grandkids. If your little one gets a special treat every time they use the potty, they might start expecting those same rewards at home (which isn’t always practical).

How to Make Potty Training Work in Both Places

1. Communicate with Grandparents

Talk about your potty training methods and ask them to follow your lead. Share your child’s potty schedule, preferred potty chair, and reward system to keep things as consistent as possible.

2. Pack Familiar Potty Training Supplies

If your child has a specific potty seat, stool, or books they like to read while sitting on the potty, send those items with them to the grandparents' house. Familiarity can make the transition easier.

3. Establish a Routine

Even if potty training at Grandma's isn’t an exact replica of home, try to create a similar routine. Have designated potty breaks, use familiar cues, and keep diaper-free time consistent.

4. Be Flexible, But Not Too Flexible

Some variation is okay, but too much inconsistency can slow progress. If your child needs to use a different kind of potty, that’s fine—but switching between diapers at Grandma’s and underwear at home may confuse them.

5. Encourage Independence

Whenever possible, encourage your child to ask to use the potty rather than waiting to be reminded. This will help them become more independent in different bathroom settings.

6. Expect Setbacks

Potty training isn’t linear. Even if your child is doing great at home, they might regress a little when they spend time away. Be patient and remind them of their potty training skills once they return home.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, potty training is different for every child, and every family has to figure out what works best for them. Some kids will thrive with a little variety, easily switching between home and the grandparents' house. Others may need a more structured approach.

Whatever path you choose, consistency, patience, and communication are key. Potty training is a process with ups and downs, but with a little teamwork between parents and grandparents, your little one will be diaper-free in no time!