How to Potty Train Your Toddler
So, your child is beginning to show an interest in using the bathroom, and now you’re wondering how to go about this whole potty training deal. You may be feeling some conflicting emotions about it all.
There might be a good deal of joy over your tot’s milestone as well as the fact that diapers will be eliminated. You may also feel a sense of dread over the looming case of accidents, tears, and downright stubbornness from your child.
No matter what you’re feeling, just know that it’s okay. You may be wondering: can you really potty train fast or in three days? Sure, it is possible. Many have done it. Even so, I won’t say it’s completely foolproof or that you’re guaranteed to have successful results. What I am providing is a new way to approach the situation.
The benefits, if you’re successful, are numerous. For starters, a 3-day potty training method can help cut down on the stress in the entire household. Yes, having to clean-up frequent accidents isn’t fun, but it all goes by fast. In fact, you can even block out a single weekend to get the job done.
Also, it helps you get rid of those expensive and pesky diapers sooner. This method can even help motivate your child and build their confidence in how quickly they can learn something.
Of course, you don’t want to put too much expectation in this method. As I said, there’s no guarantee, so you don’t want to try to force the matter to the point that you and everyone else are more stressed out.
You want your child to want to go to the bathroom. If they feel like it’s a chore or a punishment, they may drag their feet all the way there.
That’s why you want to approach the 3-day potty training method with care, patience, and understanding. It may work, or it may not work. Regardless, it’s a trying, yet rewarding experience that can help your child zoom over that important childhood milestone.
Without further wait, check out my hand 3-day potty training method. I even dropped some extra tips on how to potty train that may help make the task easier.
3-Day Method
An important thing to do before starting is to plan. There should be no interruptions and no leaving the house, so if you have other kids, make sure they’re taken care of.
Also, for those of you with boys, try to focus on training seated first. He may get too distracted with standing, so nail down the basics then try standing up later on. It’s helpful to have a male role model for that part too.
Now, without further wait, let’s dive on into the 3-day method.
Day 1
- Wake up: The first step on Day 1 is to get up and get ready for the day. You (and anyone else in your house involved) should get mentally and emotionally prepared for this journey. Have whatever you need like a shower or coffee and get to waking up your little one.
- Diapers no more: Once your child is up, get rid of the diapers. If you haven’t explained to them before, now is a good time to tell them that there’s going to be no more diapers. This way, they know that there will be nothing to catch their pee or poop. You can leave them in underwear instead, have them go naked, or let them walk around with just a shirt or sweater.
- Drink up: I recommend giving your child a little bit more to drink than usual. It’ll get them feeling that “urge” a bit more so they’ll start recognizing when it’s time to go potty.
- Watch, guide, and wait: Let them go about their day, but make sure to take frequent trips to the potty. Every 15 or 20 minutes is a safe bet as it can get them used to it. Watch out for little cues on when they may be about to go and try to get them to the potty beforehand.
As it’s the first day, it’s expected that there will be plenty of accidents. I know it’s hard, but try not to react negatively to them. Simply encourage your little one to make it next time, clean it up, and move on with your day.
Rewards
This is definitely a hot topic with potty training. Some think it works, while others are against it. I feel you should decide on your own based on how well you know your kid. If you think they’ll have a better chance at responding with the prospect of a reward, then go for it. Otherwise, leave it out.
Day 2
The second day will be largely like the first, except maybe you can begin to scale back on how often you’re watching them.
Remind them of what’s going on when they wake up and let them play around as usual. However, don’t hover too often. Keep them hydrated while watching to see if they begin to recognize the “urge” to go potty.
By now, they’re hopefully telling you or simply heading to the potty on their own. Accidents are still expected in this stage though, so don’t worry if they aren’t completely getting it.
Day 3
On the final day, you should notice a considerable difference in the way your tot behaves. They may fully recognize the urgency to go so that they won’t need you to remind them to go sit on the potty a little while after eating and drinking.
Also, they may be more inclined to go as to not feel their own mess on themselves anymore as they’ve spent the past two days in underwear, pants, or simply nude.
Of course, you’ll want to still offer reinforcement, encouragement, and especially praise for successful potty trips.
Toilet Training Tips
Whether the 3-day potty training method works for you or not, there are still some extra tips that may help out.
1. No Expectations
We all know that every child is different, and that couldn’t be truer when it comes to potty training. Your friend’s child may have potty trained in a day, while another may have taken a few months. A good rule of thumb when it comes to your tot is to not have any expectations.
You don’t really know how they’ll feel or react until you’re doing it. So, once you’ve started, gauge how your child is behaving and go from there.
2. Get the Right Tools
Potty training can get a little difficult if you don’t have the right equipment.
Not every child approaches the toilet the same way. The best potty training seats or chairs can help ease them into the process as well as make them more comfortable considering their tiny bodies can’t exactly fit on a normal toilet.
Also, consider investing in underwear. It’s not necessary to move them onto it right away, but it might help for them to get used to how they feel.
3. Teach and Communicate
We have to remember that our tots don’t use the bathroom the same way we do. Their bodies and minds are still developing, so you can’t expect them to understand what it means to go potty right away.
Teaching and communication is key. Consider finding kid-based programs that mention potty training. There are also plenty of books available that you can look at together so that they know a bit more about what they’re doing.
4. Motivate
Teaching toddlers something brand new that isn’t exactly filled with fun is tough. When things go right, don’t be shy to celebrate them. This type of encouragement gives them confidence to keep doing it.
Consider finding a rewards chart so that they’re more proactive about using the potty.
Of course, don’t forget to express some disappointment when they have accidents, but choose your words carefully here. You don’t want to scare them about the situation, but you also don’t want to reward accidents as they’ll believe that it’s okay.
5. Nighttime Goals
Your little one may have their daytime routine nailed down, but nighttime is an entirely different story. If you want to reduce the chance of a sleep accident, consider setting an alarm and waking them at the same time every night.
This may be tiring, but the reward that your child has a bit more control is worth it. Keep in mind though that accidents will still happen even when they’re well past the age, but it doesn’t hurt to give nighttime training a go.
Final Thoughts
So, how do you feel about my 3-day potty training method? It took me some time to figure it out, but I pressed on with the goal of giving any nervous or uncertain parent out there some extra hope. I know how stressful this is, so a clear guide can go a long way.
If this doesn’t work out, maybe your tot isn’t ready, and that’s okay. Step away and try it again in a few months.
For those of you that found this useful, feel free to share it with your friends and fellow parents.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
What are the best tips for potty training?
You can find potty training tips just about everywhere these days. To help figure out what’s best, consider tips that focus more on positive reinforcement and patience for your little one. The right tips make the potty training all about the kid and not about any budding frustration you may have during the process.
What age should my child be fully potty trained?
There isn’t one set age on when to start potty training, so how old a child should be varies. Many kids either begin or are fully potty trained around age three or four. There are 5-year-olds though that might still be going through it. However, if your kid is past kindergarten-age and older and still isn’t potty trained, there may be an underlying issue, so you should seek out their pediatrician.
How do you know when your child is ready to potty train?
There are many key traits to lookout for to know your tot is ready for potty training. They’re able to walk to the toilet on their own. They can pull their pants up and down, communicate with you well enough, and they’ve stayed dry for a couple of hours straight. Most of all, your child should be interested in the potty. If you feel none of those traits suit your child, consider waiting awhile first.
