Potty training –2 of the most dreaded words in toddler parenting. A milestone that every parent anticipates with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. As a toddler mom who has embarked on this journey, I understand the challenges and uncertainties that come with the territory. While the process may seem daunting at times, I’ve learned valuable lessons along the way from fellow moms, endless hours on the internet, and the holy grail – at least for me – “Oh Crap Potty Training” by Jamie Glowacki. I’m sharing our experience in hopes to help fellow parents who are navigating this milestone.
The beginning stages of potty training often feel like uncharted territory. From picking a framework, deciphering cues, to establishing a routine, it can be overwhelming. While researching the best way to conquer this milestone I was constantly getting pushed content advertising “the best method” to potty train in ONLY 3 days. Obviously, that’s not reality. Many of my mom friends recommended “Oh Crap Potty Training” as it had worked well for them. We decided to jump in with the “No Pants” method without buying the book when O.Ro was about 21 months.
Day one we rolled up our area rugs, set timers, celebrated small victories, had potty parades down the hall into the bathroom, and cleaned up countless accidents. Accidents are an inevitable part of the potty training journey. As frustrating as they may be, they’re also valuable learning opportunities. A simple, “We go peepee on the potty,” while walking them to the bathroom helps them establish a connection between the two. Instead of becoming discouraged, we approached accidents with empathy and understanding. Offering reassurance and cleaning up without making a fuss helps prevent any negative associations with using the potty. We quickly realized that patience would be our greatest ally. Understanding that every child is different and progresses at their own pace definitely helped alleviate some of the pressure. Day one felt like a success.
Meet your new best friends.
We woke up the next morning feeling confident, ready to tackle day two. Cut to me sitting on the bathroom floor, my half naked toddler crawling up my body while peeing and scream crying “I don’t want to sit on the potty!” That’s when we called it. We threw in the towel and decided she wasn’t ready. We’d try again in a few weeks. I ordered the book on the way up to the shower.
This is why I’m eager to share my experience using the “Oh Crap” potty training method along with tips and tricks from countless moms in the hopes of helping other parents navigate this pivotal stage with confidence and success and not sitting on a bathroom floor covered in pee, although that may be inevitable. Knowing that you’re not alone in this journey makes the challenges feel more manageable.
The “Oh Crap” method, pioneered by Jamie Glowacki, is a straightforward approach that emphasizes timing, observation, and consistency. At its core, it encourages parents to ditch the diapers and devote a concentrated period of time to focus on potty training – typically over the course of a few days to a week. While initially daunting, I found that this method provided a clear framework and helped set realistic expectations and offered support through the process.
Consistency is crucial when using any potty-training method. Establishing a routine and sticking to it helps reinforce the habit and signals to your kiddo that using the potty is a regular part of their day to day. Whether it’s prompting them to sit on the potty at regular intervals or recognizing their cues for needing to go, consistency lays the foundation for success. We used a timer and slowly extended the time between potty trips. We went potty before we left the house, when we arrived at our destination, before we left said destination and multiple trips in between. Pro tip – start building in extra time for potty stops anytime you leave the house. In the beginning it’s a lot but it does even out eventually!
Incorporating fun and creativity into the process can also make potty training more engaging for toddlers. From special potty-themed books to colorful stickers as rewards, finding ways to make the experience enjoyable can motivate and incentivize them to participate. For example, I ordered potty books off amazon – some informative, some fun and silly. (You could always go to your local bookstore and have your toddler help pick them out to give them some ownership.). I added a small bookshelf next to her potty so they were easily accessible. Across from her potty, in her eyeline, was her reward system. There are so many options online but we went with a star jar for the simple fact that it was reusable and super cute. Making sure the reward system is visible on your toddler’s level helps them get excited about their progress.
No potty training method is without its challenges or one size fits all, and the “Oh Crap” approach is no exception. We did stray from the book’s recommendations on occasion. We continued to use overnight diapers and would have O.Ro wear pullups on long car rides and trips to Disney. In our case, making these changes didn’t slow her progress or cause setbacks. This is a prime example of doing what’s right for you and your toddler during this journey. You might need to adapt and that’s OK! There may be moments of frustration, setbacks, and doubt along the way. However, staying patient, positive, and persistent is key. Remember, every child is different, and progress may not always unfold according to plan. When in doubt remember the wise words of our great aunt Patty Ann – “It’s not often you see grown adults walking around in diapers. They will get it. Just give it time!”
Every kid is different so no one item or strategy will work for everyone but here is a list of things that really helped us. Hopefully they can help you too!
PottyTraining Supplies
For You
- Potty Training Toilet – There are so many options. We went with the BabyBjörn Smart Potty. It’s low profile fit nicely in our powder room. We kept the second in the car for emergencies.
- Potty Seat – Once O.ro outgrew her little potty we moved on to a removable seat then graduated to one that is built in to our toilet seat.
- Stool – We opted to get a tall stool that would double to reach the sink and get on the potty once she graduated from her training toilet.
- Faucet extender – makes it a little easier to get those little hands clean.
- Portable Potty Seat – Great for public restrooms. We tried a few and our favorite was One Proud Toddler due to the no suction cup design.
- Flush Stickers – The auto flush in most public restrooms can be a bit of a shock to our potty newbies. Putting a sticker over the sensor is an easy fix!
- Bathroom friendly book shelf – keep all your potty books close at hand.
- Training Pants – Not for everyone but they were a life saver for us! Pampers Pure worked best for us but there are plenty of brands out there.
- Car Seat Cover – These are machine washable and save you from having to pull apart your carseat if your little one has an accident.
- Microfiber towels – saves you money on paper towels while cleaning up accidents.
For Them
- Reward Systems – We went for the Star Jar since it is easily repurposed but just like the potty seat, there are so many options!
- Fun Soap – makes cleaning up a little more fun for them.
- Cute Hand Towels – Hand towels with animals or characters make washing and drying their hands more fun.
- Good2Grow Juice – not our normal go to when it comes to juice choices but you can refill them and the character heads make is so much easier to get your toddler to chug those fluids!
- Yoto Player/ Tonie – We love our Yoto. O.Ro loves the autonomy and variety it provides.
Our Favorite Books
