As a parent, I often reflect on my experience with the three-day potty training approach. While I like to say I succeeded, the reality was more like a two-year journey of stops and starts.
When my child turned two, I knew it was time to tackle potty training. I stumbled upon a book titled Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Right. While it wasn’t on my radar before, I appreciated its straightforward, no-nonsense approach that encouraged a relaxed atmosphere without the use of rewards. I felt ready to dive in.
The author, Jamie Glowacki, suggests that the ideal age for potty training is between 20 to 30 months. Though she emphasizes that children can learn outside this window, she believes this timeframe offers the smoothest transition. I started to feel the pressure as I realized I needed to take action.
I allocated three full days to focus solely on this process. Working from home as a freelancer gave me the flexibility to dedicate a long weekend to this endeavor. It’s worth mentioning that the Oh Crap! method isn’t strictly a “three-day” training regimen, but it serves as a foundational step toward successful potty training. In essence, most methods share similar principles.
The premise is simple: set aside three days to remain at home with no distractions, fully committed to potty training. On the first day, you explain to your child that diapers are a thing of the past and that it’s now time to use the potty. You remove their pants and diapers, preparing for the inevitable messes. Distractions like phones are put away, and you closely observe your child to identify their signals indicating the need to go. When they show signs of needing to pee, you quickly place them on the potty.
I must admit, I was apprehensive about this method. Living in a rental with wall-to-wall carpeting made the prospect of cleaning up accidents daunting. Additionally, the idea of avoiding my phone for an entire day sounded challenging.
Surprisingly, the experience was manageable. Yes, there was a fair share of mess—lots of it, in fact. Pro tip: use carpet spray designed for pet owners, as it effectively eliminates urine stains and odors. I quickly learned to recognize my child’s cues, and by the end of Day One, he was mostly using the toilet.
One unexpected benefit of this process was the enforced digital detox. I hadn’t realized how attached I had become to my phone and the distractions it brought. It was refreshing to be fully present with my child, focusing entirely on his needs and progress.
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To Summarize:
The three-day potty training method can be a transformative experience, fostering both independence in your child and a deeper connection between parent and child. While the journey may come with its challenges, the rewards of being present and engaged make it worthwhile.