Our youngest was about three weeks into potty training when we packed up for a long holiday drive to see family. We were nervous. New places, long car rides, big meals, late nights and lots of excited cousins. It felt like a recipe for accidents.

It went better than we expected, and the reason was a little planning. Here's the simple travel plan we used.

If you can, start a few weeks before you leave, not a few days. That gives your toddler time to get the basics down at home. If the trip is coming up fast, it's fine to wait until after. The holidays will still be there next year, and potty training can start the week you get home.

This bag rode at our feet the whole trip.

• A travel potty or a folding seat insert for public toilets.
• Potty liners or plastic bags for the travel potty.
• 3 or 4 changes of clothes, including socks.
• Extra underwear and a few pull-ups for emergencies.
• Wipes, hand sanitizer and paper towels.
• Plastic bags for wet clothes.
• A small towel or waterproof pad for the car seat.
• Stickers so the reward chart can travel too.

• Go potty right before you leave. No exceptions.
• Plan stops every 1.5 to 2 hours, even if your child says they don't need to go.
• Use the travel potty in the car at rest stops if bathrooms are busy or loud.
• Protect the car seat with a waterproof pad or a puppy pad under them.
• Offer drinks at stops, not constantly while driving.

We made a game out of it: "Next stop is the one with the big sign!" It gave our toddler something to look forward to. We also kept a small bag of snacks and a new sticker sheet for each stop, so getting out of the car felt like a fun break instead of a chore. Short, predictable stops beat one long emergency stop every time.

• Potty before security and again before boarding.
• Use the airplane bathroom early, before the seatbelt sign comes on for landing.
• Bring the seat insert in your carry-on. Airplane toilets are loud and big.
• Dress them in easy pants with an extra set in your carry-on.

If the flush scares them, have them step out before you flush.

A new house means a new bathroom, and that can throw toddlers off.

• Show them the bathroom first thing when you arrive.
• Leave a night light on in the hall and bathroom.
• Bring their stool and seat if you're driving.
• Tell family the plan: the words you use and how you handle accidents calmly.
• Protect the bed with a waterproof pad if they're sleeping in a new bed.

The best thing we did was stick to the same potty times we used at home:

• After waking up
• After meals
• Before naps and bed
• Before leaving the house or the car

When the days are busy, these anchor points do the remembering for you.

Holidays mean lots of distractions. Expect more reminders.

• Set a phone reminder every hour or two during parties.
• Watch for cues when cousins are playing. Busy kids forget.
• Take a quiet potty break together if the house is loud.

They probably will. That's normal on a trip.

• Stay calm. Change them quietly, ideally away from a crowd.
• No teasing from anyone. Kindly ask relatives to keep comments to themselves.
• Don't go back to diapers for the day just because of one accident.

It's okay to use a pull-up for the long drive or a late night, then switch back to underwear.

Some toddlers have more accidents during and right after travel. New places, less sleep and big feelings can all do it. Go back to your basic routine when you get home, and most kids are back on track in a few days.

If you're staying somewhere new:

• Walk the route to the bathroom together before bed.
• Bring a night light that plugs into the wall.
• Pack a waterproof pad for the bed, even if your child is usually dry.
• Keep the travel potty in the room for middle-of-the-night trips.

Busy parents already have a lot to juggle during the holidays. Keep the rest simple so you have energy to watch for cues: plan easy meals, keep the schedule light and say no to one or two extra outings. A relaxed parent makes a relaxed toddler.

The trip that worried us most turned into one of our proudest moments. Our toddler told Grandma, "I need to go potty," and walked off by herself.

If you'd like a prep week and a full plan to follow before your next trip, The Prep-First Potty Plan includes a packing list and day-by-day steps.