Cooperation is like a tealight on a windy night; fragile at first, but protect it and feed it and it can grow into a bonfire.

Because we all know how to use a toilet, it's easy to think that we can teach this skill to our children... and we can... But sometimes it becomes a power struggle.

In this episode, I explore why and how potty/toileting refusal happens, how it affects cooperation and how you can help cooperation come back if it's faded. The answer isn’t pressure or rewards, but understanding what the moment feels like from your child’s perspective. For a child who has always used nappies, stopping play for a body signal is a brand-new and surprisingly hard skill. This episode will help you to see seeds of progress in tiny moments like a pause before a “no,” a glance, or a moment of listening.

PLUS

• Why refusal doesn’t mean you’ve started too soon
• Understanding the difficulty of learning to interrupt play
• Identifying moments you can use to help cooperation return (and how to do that)
• Protecting and nurturing the seed of cooperation so it can grow

If you’d like the full framework, my book Positively Potty covers preparation, practice and stopping using nappies in detail.
https://rebeccamottram.com/books/

About the host:
Rebecca Mottram is an NHS children’s nurse, Doctoral Research Fellow and independent researcher with a special interest in potty training. Rebecca is the author of The Baby Pottying Guide, Positively Potty and is the founder of the Little Bunny Bear shop on Etsy. Rebecca was the potty training advisor to ERIC (the children’s bladder and bowel charity) between 2019-2024 and Rebecca became the potty training advisor for Pura in 2025. Rebecca has also been featured on Channel 5, the BBC, Women's Hour and My First 5 Years as a potty learning expert.

Get in touch about a consultation

https://rebeccamottram.com/problem-solving/

There is a moment that many families find themselves in: when potty learning seems to stall, or even stop completely and you feel a bit stuck.

In this episode, I talk about why this happens, what it often tells us about a child’s development, and how breaking potty learning down into smaller, manageable steps can help things move forward again - calmly and without pressure.

The holidays often bring changes to routine, which can make potty learning feel a little wobbly. I can help you slow things down and focus on small, supportive steps instead.

And if you’re listening over the festive break, it’s also a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be big or busy. Little steps can be especially helpful during quieter moments together.

At the time of recording this episode, we recommended that you purchase Rebecca’s podcast companion guide for more comprehensive support. This will be available until January 2026, at which point Rebecca's second book Positively Potty will replace it as the best available potty training resource.
Buy the podcast companion guide: https://littlebunnybear.etsy.com/uk/listing/1729632960/potty-training-guide
Buy Positively Potty: https://rebeccamottram.com/books/

About the host:

Rebecca Mottram is an NHS children’s nurse, Doctoral Research Fellow and independent researcher with a special interest in potty training. Rebecca is the author of The Baby Pottying Guide, Positively Potty and is the founder of the Little Bunny Bear shop on Etsy. Rebecca was the potty training advisor to ERIC (the children’s bladder and bowel charity) between 2019-2024 and Rebecca became the potty training advisor for Pura in 2025. Rebecca has also been featured on Channel 5, the BBC, Women's Hour and My First 5 Years as a potty learning expert.

Get in touch about a consultation

https://rebeccamottram.com/problem-solving/

In this episode of the Go Potty Podcast, Rebecca sheds light on solving potty training problems through connecting with your child. Acknowledging the emotional aspect of potty training challenges, Rebecca explains how you can understand your child's perspective and foster cooperation through connection. By empathising with your child's feelings and dedicating quality time for connection, you can create a supportive environment for successful potty training.

At the time of recording this episode, we recommended that you purchase Rebecca’s podcast companion guide for more comprehensive support. This will be available until January 2026, at which point Rebecca's second book Positively Potty will replace it as the best available potty training resource.
Buy the podcast companion guide: https://littlebunnybear.etsy.com/uk/listing/1729632960/potty-training-guide
Buy Positively Potty: https://rebeccamottram.com/books/

About the host:

Rebecca Mottram is an NHS children’s nurse, Doctoral Research Fellow and independent researcher with a special interest in potty training. Rebecca is the author of The Baby Pottying Guide, Positively Potty and is the founder of the Little Bunny Bear shop on Etsy. Rebecca was the potty training advisor to ERIC (the children’s bladder and bowel charity) between 2019-2024 and Rebecca became the potty training advisor for Pura in 2025. Rebecca has also been featured on Channel 5, the BBC, Women's Hour and My First 5 Years as a potty learning expert.

Get in touch about a consultation

https://rebeccamottram.com/problem-solving/