I am a big fan of the book On Becoming Baby Wise– and this will put me in one category or another with mamas. Regardless, you’d expect me to jump all over that touted 3 day potty training method. But I’m here to say, “I was wrong.” There, it’s in writing! I ooohed and aaahed over the sensible 3 Day Potty Training Method, but I neglected to consider one KEY ingredient…my personality!
I am not cut out to do the 3 Day Potty Training Method. It takes a certain mama that I am not, and I think that’s okay. It took us more than 3 days, but my son is doing great. Most importantly? Neither of us stressed about it. He is in cotton undies all day long now, and eventually we’ll work on the sleep times (for now he uses Pull-Ups).
So why didn’t it work? All you moms that tried and feel like you failed at potty training in 3 days, take a big breath with me. It’s ok. And to all the moms that did successfully potty-train their little one in 3 days, good job! The end goal is potty training, but the means to get there will vary as much as our children and our temperaments.
Is your child ready?
Are you ready?
Is their caregiver while you work on board?
Potty seat on the toilet or toilet chair?
Pull ups, training pants or straight up undies?
3 days or 3 months?
Night time training later or now?
Really, I don’t think there’s a perfect, one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to kids and toilets. I took a stab at the 3-day method and at the end of day 1, we went to the store and bought Nutella (for me), chocolate chips (for him), Pull-Ups and Gerber cloth training pants. And our life was instantly better.
With my consistency at home (and my child’s grandma helping during the week while I was at work), my son is mostly potty trained now – just a few months later. He is in underwear all day with the exception of nap time and bed time, which we’ll get to eventually.
While my natural inclination is not very go-with-the-flow, I surprised myself and just chilled out – doing what was best for my son and for me. Because of this, his potty training experience was more relaxed and more successful! I think he could’ve handled the 3 day method, but I couldn’t. And since I’m the one doing the training – it has to work for both of us.