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Is it actually possible to potty train your two year old in a few days? Why yes! Yes it is. I remember thinking how could this be possible for “every” child, as stated in the book: How to Potty Train your child in 3 days.
The first rule, is knowing when it’s time to potty train? Your toddler may be showing signs of readiness like these:
-tugging/pulling at their wet or dirty diaper
-hiding to poop or pee
-interest in others’ use of the potty, or copying the behaviour
-having a dry diaper for a longer than usual time
-awakening dry from nap
-telling you that they’re about to go, are going, or have just gone in their diaper
The time frame is different for every child. Some are ready as early as 18 months, some aren’t until they’re 3 or 4. If you do some research, everything suggests starting at a younger age, versus waiting until they’re older. With that being said, if you think your child is ready to take on potty training, and you’re interested in the “3-day potty training” method by Lora Jensen, read on!
One really important thing to note is that you have to DEDICATE three full days to your child. This means giving up precious “me” time. No more lunch dates, coffee runs, cooking, cleaning (other then potty training messes) – or anything else for that matter. You will spend every waking moment watching your child for three whole days. Sounds like fun, right? Just kidding. But, trust me, it’s worth it.
Due to the importance of doing nothing but potty training your child, I recommend doing this on a weekend, maybe when your spouse is on days off, so you can tag in if you need. And if you’re solo, make sure your grocery shopping is done, and maybe even prep some meals that just need to be popped in the oven – you will need lots of fuel – and coffee! Be ready to play games, colour, watch some paw patrol, and do reading with your kiddo!
Before you tackle potty training, let’s talk about: What you’ll need -underwear. LOTS of underwear. We only had about 15 pairs & ended up going to the store to get 15 more. (although some do naked training).
-something for your toddler to drink (we just use water)
-a potty
-a mattress protector if you’re going FULL-BLOWN potty training. (I recommend 2!).
-some sort of reward that EXCITES your child. Some use a sticker chart, some use smarties, whatever floats your boat. Just make sure you don’t eat them all. (just me?)
-Last but not least, you need PATIENCE. And, Lots of it.
Ready? Game face on. Here’s how it works in a nutshell. If you want the full in depth – I recommend purchasing the book, or guide. You can get it here: https://amzn.to/37HIpEM
- When your child wakes up, have them say “BYE-BYE” to their diapers. Have them HELP you put them in the garbage, and show them their new “BIG Girl/Boy underwear”. (We meant to save the diapers, but my husband accidentally threw them out – SAD. Try not to make that mistake. We had TONS that would have been useful for our 2nd child.
- Explain to your child to try to keep his new underwear “clean” and “dry”. There’s no diaper to catch the pee, or poop. Instead, it goes in the “potty” / “toe-toe” / Etc.
- Go about your morning like normal. Get them their breakfast, and ensure they drink lots of fluids. After the drink, take them to the potty. We said things like “remember, this is where the pee and poo goes” “Let us know if you need to sit on the potty”
- BOOM. Accident #1. (for us anyway.) DO NOT SHAME/GET MAD/REACT IN ANY WAY OTHER THEN; putting them on the potty. “Name, is peeing. Remember pee goes on the potty.” As they continue to “go” on the potty, cheer them on / encourage them, and YES, reward them. EVEN though they had an accident, if they go ON the potty, they get their reward.
- Constantly have them drink fluids (this helps them catch on faster). And again, go about your normal day, minus leaving the house.
- Cut off all liquids and snacks after dinner while potty training.
- Prior to bed, have them sit on the potty.
- This is where it gets tricky. She recommends waking up your toddler in the middle of the night to go pee. (we used pull ups because I wasn’t ready to fully commit A.K.A. give up my sleep, & it still worked for us). P.S. Why did I not want to "give up my sleep"? I had a 8 week old baby, so I wasn't sleeping anyway. I was delusional, that's why. Moving on..
TIPS
- Every child reacts in different ways. Find your childs “cue”. We found with our daughter, that when she had to go, she would hide in the corner and squat. She was not “verbally” telling us she had to go, but this was her cue, and her “trying” to tell us she had to go. At that moment, is when you RUN, don’t walk, but run them to the potty. I’m talking full blown running like a mad woman, arms flailing – jk, but, seriously. Holding your child an arms length in front of you, so they don’t pee all over you. (Yes, you get some great arms during this process too – win/win!)
- Then, PRAISE, PRAISE, and PRAISE some more. Be their encourager. Positive reinforcement is so important, in fact, it's crucial to your success.
- As soon as they start to go in their undies, rush them to the bathroom, set them on the toilet, and say something like “Uh oh! We go pee on the potty, not in our underwear, remember? We want to keep our undies nice and clean and dry, right?”
- Don’t ASK them if they have to go, but REMIND them to tell you. I believe this is crucial. Jensen explains that when you ask them if they have to go on the potty, you’re going to get a negative response, and you take away their control. But, by reminding them to tell you when they have to go, you’re giving them the power, so the response is more positive. Toddlers like to be in control.
Example #1: Q: “Lilly, do you have to go on the potty?” A: “No”
Example #2: “Lilly, make sure you tell mommy if you have to use the potty, ok?” “Ok, Mommy”
The first day is the hardest. It’s exhausting. Prepare yourself. But it’s SO rewarding when you see your toddler starting to understand. Now, Lilly still had LOTS of accidents the morning of day 2. But come afternoon, she was starting to get the hang of it! It was the longest day and a half. Just hang in there mama, it DOES get better.
This method WORKS. Yes, it took her the FULL 3 days, her one cousin did it in 2.5, and her other cousin was full blown potty trained on DAY 1. Every child IS different, but it will work, with persistence!
That’s it! In 2.5 days, Lilly’s accident rate was down by 99%, and by the end of day 3, she was Potty Trained. Every time she kept her undies dry, we partied like it was 1999. We did a crazy potty dance, and Lilly just LOVED it. We are so proud of our sweet Lilly. Since being Potty Trained, we’ve had minimal accidents – yes, they still happened occasionally, but after a month or two knock on wood, she hasn’t had any accidents.
I hope this helps you, if it did, please share it with anyone else who might benefit from it! & I’d LOVE to hear your experience with potty training below!
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