Jessica Summer Thompson

So, you're ready to potty train

Maybe you don't know where to begin. Maybe you have tried on your own and it did not take. Maybe you are dealing with special needs or severe toilet anxiety, or you simply do not have the time to commit to a program that will actually get your child out of diapers.

Have no fear. That is where I come in.

Working with children runs in my veins

I come from a long line of educators and caregivers. My mother owned and operated a childcare center for over twenty-five years, and I served as her assistant for nearly five of them. That is where I first honed my potty training skills, learning from her and from her mentor, who wrote a book on potty training.

I moved to NYC in August 2004 and earned my B.A. in Writing and Literature from Columbia University. From 2004 to 2016 I worked for families as a nanny, household manager, parent coach and homework helper, caring for children from infancy through the pre-teen years, with special needs children as my niche.

How I work

I find genuine joy in helping families of all types and sizes maintain a happy, healthy household dynamic. I believe in a teaching process that balances kindness and empathy with the importance of structure and boundaries, both for the child and for everyone around them. My approach is holistic, and I strive to give families a safe space where we can guide children and their behaviors while keeping the process an autonomous one for them.

Why I started this

For years, people told me I should build a potty training business out of my experience, my ability to connect with and deeply understand children, and my years of special needs work. In 2022 I finally launched Practically Perfect Potty Training, and I have learned more than I imagined I would.

Despite having a foundational method, potty training full time has reminded me that there is no one size fits all when it comes to potty training and behavioral coaching. I have used my years of expertise to work with dozens of families through a plethora of potty struggles. Every child is different, and I pride myself on taking the time to connect with my clients so I can suit their individual needs, recognize when to shift methodology, and come up with new ways to work through the potty process.

I feel privileged and honored that families choose to have me guide them through this big and exciting childhood milestone.

A modernized Mary Poppins

Often seen touting vibrantly colored hair and clothes, you can look at me as a modernized Mary Poppins. My aesthetic matches my colorful personality, which resonates extremely well with children and helps me quickly form bonds with them. I take great pride in my ability to connect with kids of all ages, and to build good working relationships with parents and caregivers.

In my spare time, I freelance write and professionally pet sit around the world. I truly believe that strong, happy, healthy families are the foundation of society, and I am deeply passionate about helping my clientele through this rite of passage.

I look forward to working with you and your family.