If you are preparing to potty train your child, I’m sure you’ve seen the ads or heard other parents talk about potty training in 3 days. And now you wonder if that is possible or if this type of training is too good to be true?
It is a smart question and the answer is not simple. Simply put, yes, it is very possible to potty train a child in 3 days with a solid introduction to the basics. Then that same child will need to practice his new potty skills for weeks and months.
And that makes sense.
Let’s talk about how this training method works.
– Intense preparation. This is not a casual potty training. This is making sure (very important) that your child is potty-ready. There are many lists of toilet readiness signs online and your child clearly needs to be both physically and emotionally ready for training or should wait until they are.
Also, to learn to go to the bathroom so fast, YOU must be prepared too. You need to gather all the tools and potty aids you need so that you can focus on your child during the 3-day potty training marathon and not have to run to the store all the time.
There are several good guides you can buy online that will walk you through the 3-day potty training step by step. I have already trained 4 children and I can definitely tell you that if I started again I would get one or more of these guides and study them cover to cover BEFORE I start teaching them to use the potty.
– You need a clear schedule. You and your child will be best friends and teammates during this 3-day event. You will need to focus exclusively on your child, so it helps if other children can go on adventures with Grandma or someone special during this time.
If there is a lot of stress or chaos in your home, don’t try the 3-day potty training method. You will struggle unnecessarily due to distractions in your home and both you and your child will be quite frustrated, which means you may need to “unlearn” some habits when it comes time to relearn how to use the bathroom when circumstances are better. .
– During the 3 days of concentrated training, you will help your child to use his potty on a strict schedule. Typically this involves pushing liquids and popsicles to the child and / or using a potty training doll to model the potty process. If you use a toilet guide, you should follow the directions carefully for best results.
The idea behind this method is quite simple. First, your toddler or preschooler must have a clear understanding of what is expected of him. Then you need to practice that behavior intensively for a couple of days to start a new habit.
It sounds easy enough, but there are human beings involved and connecting the dots is not always that straightforward. And no matter how well the initial 3 days of potty training go, your child will need weeks and months of practicing his new potty skills until he wins competition.
That means accidents. Maybe just a few, maybe more.
Potty training your toddler in 3 days is not a miracle method of getting your child out of diapers, but it is a very reasonable approach to potty training if the method is followed correctly. Many parents have used this method to get their children out of diapers so that they can be constantly trained.
You will still need patience and lots of hugs. Just remember how long it takes for YOU to learn a new skill and you will feel more empathy for your toddler.
However, if you have the time and dedication to try, potty training in 3 days can be a great way to potty train your child.