Changing 2 sets of diapers got old real quick so whenever Grady started
showing the littlest signs of wanting to be potty trained we took full
advantage of this opportunity. I didn’t feel well prepared at all and had very
low expectations. I heard 2 different suggestions and we ran with both of
those. The first one being the farmer’s almanac. As crazy as it sounds, you
simply start potty training on a day that it suggests (just google potty
training by farmer’s almanac). With me and Chad’s work schedules we knew we
could start on the last day that it recommended. I don’t know if there is
complete truth in it but since it just recommends a day for you to start we
decided why not.
We followed the 3-day potty training method. It was really the first
and only method I read and we just went with it. I took off on Thursday and
Chad took off on Friday and then we used the weekend as well just to get him
used to it. Let me just say the first day was by far the worst day.
Supplies:
Undies – We knew we were going to start
potty training soon so for Christmas and Easter he got some undies. As much as
the character undies aren’t as cute as say the plain briefs. They will like the
undies with puppies, trucks, their favorite character on them, etc. on them.
Grady was really into puppy dogs so we bought paw patrol undies but H&M has
the cutest boxer briefs for little boys and they are adorable on him. You will
need at least 2 packs on undies(don’t underestimate how much you will need).
//Potty seat//
We purchased the ones sit on the toilet. I just was not a
fan of having to clean pee or poo out of a toddler potty seat but it’s
completely up to you.
//Timer//
You can use your phone but we just had a kitchen timer in the
bathroom
//Toys//
The dollar tree will be your favorite store. I had to make 3
different stops for candy, toys, snacks, etc.
//Activities//
You will be spending A LOT of time in the bathroom so I
would advise books, ipad, etc.
//OxiClean//
It is guaranteed that you will have at least 1 poopy pair of
undies and you can either throw them away or soak in oxiclean (gloves might be
a good idea too)
//Wine/Beer//
Completely optional but it will help with the patience that is required
I am not an expert on potty training but we knew Grady was ready
because he suddenly would HATE having his diaper changed and would even start to take it off randomly. He also started to become very interested in the toilet and would
sit on it a few times. But I also knew that as soon as we switched I wasn’t
going back so we made sure he and we were completely ready. (He was 2 years and
4 months old)
Day -2/-1:
A few days before you start potty training start having
conversations with you little one about what’s about to happen. Show them their
undies and have them get excited about wearing them. Grady would want to try
them on and wear them around the house and by golly we would let him as much as
he wanted to. He would wear them over his diaper and thought they were the
coolest things in the world.
Day 1:
Fill up your coffee mug and put it on repeat!! We didn’t
immediately start as soon as he woke up. Grady is not a morning person so this
would not have been a good idea. He woke up and watched his morning cartoons
for a little bit and as soon as he was awake enough I talked to him about today
being the day for potty training. I explained what we were going to do and then
lead him into the bathroom and put him on the toilet. I showed him the basket
of toys and said that if he went in the potty he could have a toy. We set the
timer for every 15 minutes and would start it after he got off the potty. We
let him run around with just his undies and a shirt and it didn’t phase him in
the morning but towards the afternoon he really started to resent the every 15
minutes and momma’s patience was running thin. We had a few accidents but
overall was getting the hang of it. He also got very upset when he didn’t get a
toy and even though he just got off the potty he would go back in there and try
again just for another toy. Towards the end of the day I moved the time to 30
minutes since he was starting to get the hang of it but we still were having a
few accidents. At bed time we put his undies on and then a pull up. We never
wanted him to wear a pull up straight due to the feel of it vs his undies. The
best advice I can give for day 1 is to make it fun for them and when they do go
in the potty make it a BIG deal. And if they don’t go in the potty it’s ok,
this day is just getting them used to the idea of it. You will get tired of
bleaching your floors but try not make this “new” experience dreaded for them
Make sure they drink plenty of water throughout the
day.. more water = more bathroom breaks!
Day 2:
I do not like it when people say they work to get a break from
their kids but that’s how I felt on Day 2, I haven’t been that excited about
work in a long time. I heard that kids regress so Chad began the day with every
15 minutes again. He had about 1 accident and then after a few times of that we
moved it to 30 minutes and then an hour by the afternoon. By day 2 Grady was
doing great, we also didn’t give him a toy every time he went potty but every time
he went without us telling him to go.
Day 3:
This is supposed to be the magic day. We played it by ear and
didn’t set a timer but when it got to be a while without going potty we would
take him in there. He had a poopy accident but no pee accident (one happy
momma). Since he was still have a little problem with pooping in the potty we
told him that he could have a toy when he pooped.
Day 4:
We skipped church, ummm it was basically like having a newborn
we were scared to death what going out in public was going to give us. We didn’t
have a single accident and I was so so proud. Both Chad and I were so tired of
being cooped inside the house though by day 4 but too scared to go out in
public that we took turns just to get out of the house. We did take Grady to go
get ice cream in the evening to get him out of the house as well.
Day 5:
I felt like we could have used another day at home but we sent
Grady off to daycare. We are fortunate to go to a daycare that listens to us
and works with us. We told her everything and again had low expectation but
when she opened the day at the end of the day and he had the same clothes on from
the morning I could not have been prouder.
We were a little hesitant going places in public with a freshly
potty trained toddler but we took it a step at a time. I am pleased that it
only took a few days and yes we are still using a pull-up at night but he doesn’t
need it, he is doing great.
