Potty training in 3 days is what we have done with all four of our kids (three boys & a little girl). Potty training a toddler can seem harder than it actually is, so I want to shed some light on why it is easier and quicker than most people assume. It is very possible to potty train quickly and to even potty train in a weekend!
I always start by picking a 3-day span and then I go for it and we Potty Train in a Weekend. Weekend potty training works so well, so today I’ll share how you can get started, and I’ll answer some of the most common questions I hear about toilet training.
Update: This post about Potty Training in three days has recently been updated and republished with new information. I hope it is helpful.
Potty Training in 3 Days is not a new method
While 3-day potty training is not new, it has become something of the past.
- In fact, in the 1930s, most parents started potty training babies at 6 months old.
- By the 1950s, 95% of children were trained to use the toilet by 18 months and it takes American children nearly twice as long too complete toilet training now as it did in the 1950s.
- Today, only 10% are today toilet trained early and quickly.
Potty Training in 3 Days is not stressful
Our society makes toilet training quickly seem complex like it is too much to take on in the modern world that we live in, but the truth is that fast potty training does not have to be complicated all.
It isn’t stressful or forceful. It is a simple, positive experience that is very effective when done correctly.
The potty seat in the picture above is in the top 3 on my potty training comparison chart. It’s my favorite. Here is our affiliate link to find it.
How Does Potty Training in 3 Days Work?
The 3-day potty training weekend method is what worked for our family (and for thousands of others).
- It is effective
- It is positive
- It is quick
- It is all about focus and consistency
- It is a way to connect with your child so your child enjoys the process of learning.
This method, which is described in detail in my Potty Train in a Weekend book, was passed onto me from my Grandma (she taught her four children this way and her mother taught her that way).
When I was getting ready to potty train our first son, she told me exactly what to do. Because it isn’t “modern”, I didn’t have any friends training their kids this way, so I relied solely on her advice and my instincts.
My 3-day Potty Training Weekend Experience:
- I listened to my grandma’s advice. I tweaked it. I planned for it. I tried it. It worked.
- I shared my method with local parenting groups. It worked.
- I shared my method with friends & family. It worked.
- I wrote a potty training book about it to share it with the world. It worked.
The potty training methods that I did not use:
- I did not wait until my kids are self-potty trained.
- I did not give out rewards. They were self-motivated.
- I did not punish them for having accidents. I was firm but positive.
- I did not wait for them to be able to talk before I began potty training.
Can You Really Potty Train in 3 Days?
Yes! 3-day toilet training is often clouded with negative talk of how hard it will be or how you are forcing your child, but that is the case… at all. In fact, I found it to be extremely positive, effective and my children loved our weekend of potty training. It was just us, working on a goal together.
There is so much talk of “waiting until the child is ready to start”, but just like anything, we need to guide our children. Think of breastfeeding with a baby or teaching a toddler to eat: it is natural, but it is often very difficult and we need to guide our babies to understand how to do these things.
Potty training is similar.
We need to guide our children to learn how to use the potty. We can either let the child take the lead, or we can research the many potty training methods and teach our child. We have found that taking a long weekend or a 3 day time frame works best for our family.
I suggest reading Potty Train in a Weekend before you start potty training.
The book teaches you how to help your child go diaper-free without resorting to the pull-ups (disposable training pants), M&Ms, reward charts or any sort of rewards. Because I know that everyone can do early potty training with their child (and quickly!) when given the right method.
This is a method that naturally and gently, yet firmly teaches your child to go diaper-free and stay dry without rewards in 3 days. It is so fun to watch a child who pees in the potty chair and understands why this is a great thing. To watch a child have bowel movements in the toilet and cheer for himself.
About the Potty Train in a Weekend book:
I wrote the book Potty Train in a Weekend after I potty trained my first three children, my niece & nephew and many other children (my friends’ kids, my clients, etc…). After writing the book I potty trained our fourth child, our daughter.
I updated the book several times to answer questions and I also included a chapter on potty training a child with a disability. This chapter comes from experience working with my clients during play therapy.
♡ The book was written by me.
♡ It’s not fancy. It’s not filled with fluff.
It is to the point and it is direct. I want you to get the most of reading it. (I know you are busy!!)
♡ I am a mom. I wrote this book, as a mother, for other parents, grandparents, and caregivers. Yes, I am a child development therapist, a teacher and I have a certification in play therapy for early childhood, but I gathered the most experience from simply training my own children and others.
♡ I created a Facebook Group for readers of this book. It is a private group on Facebook dedicated to helping each other. We ask questions, give answers, share stories & laugh together in this group. Everyone helps each other and no one is judging anyone because we are all in it together.
♡ This book was a best-seller on Amazon, which brought such joy to my heart to know that I was helping others.
♡ I do not claim to be the leading expert. I do not claim to have a book that will magically solve any childhood issue. I do not claim to have written a book without editing mistakes (in fact, when I wrote the book, I had just started this website, so I just asked friends & family to help me by reading it over & correcting my mistakes). It was just a way to share our story, steps & method with the world.
♡ I hope that you have the same success as so many others that have written and shared their success stories with me. It makes me so happy to know that I can reduce stress because honestly, potty training does not have to be stressful. It is a fun weekend with your child (or children) and it can be a great memory for everyone involved.
♡ You can find Potty Train in a Weekend here
How do I toilet train a toddler in three days?
As I said above, 3 day potty training isn’t the most popular choice anymore.
The delay of training is thanks to the invention of disposable diapers and diaper companies pushing diapers for as long as they can through marketing, commercials, and ads. It also lost popularity when Dr. Spock told parents to “Let the child tell you when they are ready”.
I’m here to tell you it really can work. Boys and girls everywhere are potty training successfully with this method.
Here is how I helped my children potty train in 3 days:
- I started them after 18 months (the golden window is 18-23 months, but using this method, any age works).
- I looked for readiness signs and I found a weekend when I was going to be ready to start.
- I cheered for them and praised them when they do well, but I was firm, as well.
- I trained them in three days.
- I went into it knowing that regression will probably happen and I came up with a solution.
- I understood the hurdles (like when a child uses the “day potty” but not the “nighttime potty” or when they pee but won’t poop. I have figured out how to overcome them easily.
- I helped our children to be proud of themselves, and excited to be out of diapers. They were eager to learn!
- I gave them opportunities to get excited about using the potty, by giving them coloring sheets and books.
- You can download this coloring book for free. This is a 13-page coloring book that I made. You are welcome to it for free.
Can you potty train in less than 3 days? What about potty training in 2 days?
While I tell my readers to allow three full days, I have potty trained several of my children in less time.
- One of our children was completely potty trained in the day by the end of Day one and also potty trained at night by the end of day three.
- My nephew was potty trained this was in two days.
- My neighbor was potty trained (by me) in one day.
So, yes, it is possible. It isn’t always the norm, but it is very possible that your 3-day potty training method might work quicker than 3 days.
How long does it take to be fully potty trained?
For a child to be fully potty trained, without any accidents, I would give it between 3-7 days, because every child is different.
Most children will have an accident here or there during the first week, as it is a newly developed skill.
Setbacks, along with accidents, are a normal part of development.
Potty training is not an exception to the rule.
However, based on the research that most children take 3-6 months to potty train when not using the Potty Train in a Weekend method, I am always excited at the thought of being done with potty training by this time next week.
You can say bye bye to diapers right away, but you will still need to remind your child to go to the bathroom often. While training, we have our kids go often when we are home or if we are getting ready to go somewhere (even big kids need to be reminded before leaving the house), and we take them to public restrooms if we are gone for more than an hour.
What Do You Need Before You Potty Train Your Child?
- A clock (to keep track of when to take your child to the bathroom)
- Cleaning supplies (for that first day)
- A training toilet (free comparison chart available with the purchase of the book)
- Patience
- Underwear (I will tell you the specific ones that I use).
- Baby Leggings (look at the bottom of the post for this tip!)
- Books or coloring books to keep in the bathroom.
- I suggest this 13-page coloring book. It is free for a limited time.
- Potty Train in a Weekend book with a break-down of EXACTLY what to do.
When Should I Potty Train My Child?
I started potty training my children after 18 months. This is the age when healthy children become ready physically and emotionally.
The golden window is 18-23 months.
This is the easiest age to potty train your child because they are old enough to understand, but young enough not to be stubborn or set in their own ways just yet. With that being said, when you use the 3-day potty train in a weekend method, you can potty train your child at any age with success.
What are the signs that your toddler is ready to potty train?
There are certain signs that your child is ready to be potty trained. I’ve listed several below, but more often than not… the question is: are YOU ready to potty train your child? Are you ready to walk step by step with your child to meet this next milestone: Potty Trained Toddler.
- Pulling at a wet diaper
- Pretending to go to the bathroom
- Pretending to wipe
- Interested in body parts
- Having a dry diaper for more than an hour
- Interested in watching others use the bathroom
- Wanting to flush the toilet
- Interested in toilets
How Do I Toilet Train a Boy in 3 Days?
Q: Is it easier to potty train boys or girls?
A: Research (and experience) shows that potty training your son can be easier than potty training your daughter.
I know that people say it is easier to potty train a girl, but in my experience & based on the research that I’ve done, boys were just as easy (some were easier) to potty train than the girls. I teach them to use the potty sitting down, just like I would for a girl. Eventually, we will transition to standing, but first, we just want them to master the skill of emptying their bladder into the toilet.
I have an entire post about how to potty train boys, as well as why I think girls may actually be harder to potty train than boys.
What Age Should a Child be Dry Through the Night?
Nighttime potty training is completely different than daytime potty training. While it is possible and several of my children were nighttime trained by the end of our weekend of potty training, I remind parents not to stress over nighttime training.
As a child development therapist, I have talked to many doctors and experts in this area and I know that it is not uncommon for children to have accidents at night years after they have been trained during the day.
There is such a wide range of ages when it comes to bedwetting.
While many children are toilet trained between 18 months – four years of age, they are not able to stay dry until years later.
In fact…
- 15% of six-year-old children wet the bed nightly.
- Around 5% of children will still wet the bed at the age of 10-12.
- 2% of adults wet the bed, so don’t stress about your child wetting the bed just yet. Plus – you just might be the one to blame for it (it’s hereditary)!
It is well known that if mom or dad was a bedwetter, there is a very high chance that the child will be, as well.
Other factors include low levels of the hormone that regulates the production of urine at night (called Vasopressin), a small bladder or if your child is a very deep sleeper.
How Do I Get My Toddler to Pee in the Potty?
Check out these helpful Potty Training Resources that will get you started:
- Potty Train in a Weekend ebook
- A potty Training Coloring book (free)
- Potty Training Toilet Comparison Chart (free)
More About the Potty Train in a Weekend Book:
As I mentioned previously, I wrote the book after I potty trained my first three children and other’s children. It’s been updated several times and contains a direct and to the point instructions.
About me (the author of the book)
- I am a child development therapist
- I am an elementary & early education teacher
- I am a mom of four
- I hope that you have the same success as so many others that have written and shared their success stories with me. It makes me so happy to know that I can reduce stress because honestly, potty training does not have to be stressful. It is a fun weekend with your child (or children) and it can be a great memory for everyone involved.
You can find Potty Train in a Weekend here
There is also a paperback version of Potty Train in a Weekend available on Amazon, but as I said earlier, I can’t help you with your order if it is done through Amazon (they take care of all of it).
If you order the Potty Train in a Weekend ebook from me directly with this link, I can help you with any issues that you have along the way. Just e-mail me at becky@yourmodernfamily.com and I’ll be glad to help you. ♡
Ps- A Helpful tip that I forgot to mention: I use these BabyLeggings when I potty train! I can keep them naked, but warm. (If you go to BabyLeggings and use the promo code YMF5, you will get them for FREE!)
Denise Richter says
Great tips! My 2 older boys were very receptive when they were young. My eldest learned the very first day cause he hated being wet. My second son was great during the day but he had issues at night. They are now both 20 and 19. I now have a 19 mth old daughter who is exceptionally resistant to the potty chair. She puts her dolls on it, the cat on it, she even sits on it but when I see she’s having a bowel movement and tell her let’s go to the potty chair she says “no” and runs the other way. I’m going to try your tips and we shall see how this stubborn little girl likes getting wet! I often remind younger mothers, “This too shall pass.” I haven’t met anyone that entered into the school system that hadn’t figured out the potty by then. Good luck everyone else 🙂
Your Modern Family says
Oh my goodness- that’s just what my Mom says when I say “I’m worried about _____” she says.. “This, too, shall pass. You’re ____ now, so it will happen!” 🙂 haha! I need to do a post on that! 😉
Minerva says
I am 20 years old and a first time mom, my son will be 15 months on march 14 he takes off his diapers when he’s too full. Even when he’s dry. I’m not sure if I should start potty training or not. He’s very stubborn and doesn’t focus on anything. Do you have any advice for me? An email response would be greatly appreciated. ( mmatos93@aol.com )
Tammy says
Yes, hello! My name is Tammy. Our daughter Reagan is just now 17 months. She has been doing the same thing as this young ladies child. Now she will sit on her potty but she waits to get up pull her panties up or run off to then proceed to potty her panties. Instead of the potty chair. We’ve been working on this all week. She’s been early with everything else but this? Is she too early? I need help! What should we do?
Victoria N says
Did you get a reply about this? I’m in the same boat
Valery Savage says
I have a 3 year old Grandaughter that is not potty trained. I don’t understand why mothers wait so long and have such a hard time with potty training. All 3 of my children were trained by 12 months. I just did what my mother did with her 6 children. I took my babies with me every time I went to the bathroom. After a while they were very curious about the whole thing. I explained to them that the toilet is where people are supposed go peepee and poop. Of course children want to copy everything you do. They actually potty trained themselves. After they would poop in their diaper we would take the diaper to the potty and shake the poop off the diaper and let them flush. All three of them, 2 boys and a girl were completely trained before their first birthdays, it was so easy I can’t figure out why it’s so hard for people now days. My daughter in law acts like it’s no big deal. I hate changing a three year olds diaper. It is not baby poo any more and it’s gross.
PB&J says
We’re starting into the potty training stage with our little guy. What I’ve noticed with most new, younger, parents is that most don’t make or take time and others unsure of what and how to do it. My mother essentially taught me nothing about being a parent, so this is all new territory to me.
L says
Great for you that you were able to train you kids that young. Sincerely – that’s awesome.
But ugh – please cut your daughter-in-law some slack..! I don’t know the situation, but maybe she has been trying; maybe she doesn’t enjoy changing diapers any more than you do… It isn’t all about you and you thinking that your granddaughter’s poop is “gross.” She’s your granddaughter and as a mom of 3 yourself, you should be able to deal with poop without complaining about it.
I’m a first-hand mom of a now one-year-old and motherhood isn’t easy for anyone. My daughter’s grandmother made a comment about the cleanliness of part of our living space during her last visit and I wanted to tell her,”I’m, sorry I haven’t had time to keep the place immaculate – I’ve kind of been busy RAISING YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER on top of my full-time job.” Getting myself ready in the morning while tending to her, then getting her ready – I’m exhausted before I even head out the door to start my work day! I’m always tired at the end of the day and NEVER have time for myself. I of course am happy to be raising my daughter despite the sacrifice that it sometimes entails but for goodness sake – MOMS DON’T NEED CRITICISM, they need SUPPORT.
Since you make it sound like it was super-easy to potty train your kids, have you even OFFERED to try it with your granddaughter????
Please give your daughter-in-law more credit for the million other things she does rather than criticize her over potty-training. The world needs more women who support each other.
Val says
Wow, awesome response,well said!
Danielle says
Oh my gosh, GREAT response! Thank you for that L. My situation is identical – working full time, a first time mom to a now 2 year old, and so exhausted in the evening that my house goes practically untouched. I share your stresses. Everyone’s situation is always different from someone else. That should be respected and other moms should offer support, like you said.
Mammadrama says
Very well put!! Motherhood is exhausting! I have twin 2 year olds and a 3 year old turning 4 in a few months. I barely have time to eat let alone clean my house. My kids are my first priority and if they’re happy and healthy then I’m on cloud 9.
This mom likely has enough to worry about. I’d feel awful thinking she’d have to worry about her MIL criticizing her about cleaning. I’m lucky to have a very supportive family and hope all moms out there are appreciated and supported in some way or another. My in laws are the least critical people in the world but I still worry about making them happy because that’s my personality. God forbid they DID criticize as I’d probably want to jump off a bridge.
Thanks for that response!
June says
I know right . people are always quick to criticize people but never there to help the person. if you see me struggling with potty training why don’t you give me your experience as a grandmother and how you train me instead of criticizing me and talking about me my in-laws talk about how my house is disorganized and it don’t look like a showcase like there’s if I try to make my house a showcase my kids will be miserable it’s easy to keep your house spotless when you don’t have children
Julia says
You’re awesome! I also have a mother in law that criticizes every move and makes me feel guilty or lazy or such, I often say that women in their generation were wired differently then ours.. she come from Europe almost 50 years ago and raised 4 boys. I have 2 boys, 3&5. My 5 yr old still wants to sleep in a diaper… my 3 yr old just starting to be interested in going to the bathroom, got lucky with him because the ladies from day care helped, I’m so scared not to make the same mistakes with my second one since I feel that I pressured my first. I agree with everything you said so thank you for that and for being honest. ❤️
NeedAdvice says
I have a 5 year old. I’ve tried to potty train him for 4 years. I have no support. I’ve tried everything. I’m disabled. My child is extremely smart. Just isn’t interested in the potty. I’m so ready to be done with diapers. My Mom complains about changing his diapers. Therefore I don’t take him over there anymore. It’s her grandchild.
NeedAdvice says
My child has Austism. I wonder if that’s why it’s so hard to train him. He can read, write & he wants to be a logo designer/ Doctor.
SB says
Well said!!!! It takes a village these days! Us mom’s need to stick together and support one another. Not judge each other or criticize. And when i say Mom’s I mean Grandmothers too! You raised a child……you know what’s it’s like.
Kelly says
Oh god, thank you for this. My 3-year-old isn’t fully potty trained yet. We also have 4-month-old twins and my husband and I both work (him in the day, me in the evening.) It is HARD to do any of this stuff. This judgy grandma can take a seat. HER generation has made it so that OUR generation HAS to work as much as possible just to survive. It’s not that we are neglectful parents!
Alicia says
Thank you for that very respectful yet honest response to that grandmother. You said exactly what I was thinking and I’m grateful knowing that its possible I’m not alone. Just wanted to say kudos to you, you did all of us struggling moms a favor with that response. Xoxo
Sandra says
Omg thank you so much for your comment! My son is 3, not potty trained yet but working on it and my youngest is 20 months….we had a very bad potty training day today, that’s why I was reading about it AGAIN!! I work full time as well and exhausted…She made me feel like crap then I read you and feel so much better..thank again
Shar says
My grandson just turned 4 and he freaks out when i try to put him on the toilet, potty chair or the seat that sits on the toilet.
He will not run around naked, he won’t even leave his pants off.
I am out of ideas, candy, toys, nothing will work.
My own children were trained by 2.5 years, suggestions any one.
sharine373@gmail.com
Jamie says
Amen
J says
This was an awful response. You do understand a grandmother is a mother, right?
Way to make excuses.
Maybe you should have actually purchased this guide and tried it instead of whining about how hard motherhood is. You’re not the only woman that works full time whilst trying to raise a child.
Maybe, when multiple mothers from older generations tell you something, you should open your mind a little and consider that they may know a thing or two about children.
Cleaning poop from a 3 year olds diaper is nasty. If there’s a way to avoid that, I’ll explore it.
I will buy this product.
Christina says
She is right, we need more women out supporting each other but grandma makes valid points 3year old poop is gross no matter how many kids you’ve had. But being a new mom myself -full time parent ,full time job and full time student. You have time to ask for help with potty training or do it yourself. It’s stressful (in some people case) but rewarding for u and baby. You just gotta figure out how to find that time. What I’m saying is no matter how busy u are you find time to do necessary things for your child even if it’s asking granny-in law to help potty training if you don’t have the time or if you’re tired of her complaining.
Lisa Hassan says
Yes!!! Women of s certain age/era simply do not understand what working ( out of the home) mothers entail. They get so judgmental of an “untidy” house because their generation primarily stayed at home and were homemakers. By the way, I’m home now with our three year old, but completely understand and respect both working moms and stay at homes. Both deserve respect, both are hard, both sacrifice. Just because some babies are ready at a year ( not common at all) does not mean it’s how every child developmentally will be. Most pre-school teachers will tell you that once the toddlers are around kids their age abscond they’re encouraged to use the potty they do so so much more quickly. They learn when they’re ready!
Nina says
Yes motherhood is the hardest job we have as mothers. But I don’t understand what changes in women? My sister has 7 children (all 14-18 months apart). Her house is always spotless, she went to college and became an RN. Even back in the day it was harder for women than now. They had to take care of kids, house, cook, and keep a garden. And everyone managed. And back then people had more children. Now if someone has 1-2 kids it’s very surprising. And I agree we should support each other as mothers because it’s hard, but I believe if you manage your schedule and time well you could do anything. And it’s ok to have lazy days.
Kat says
My child is 3 and is just now potty trained. He has autism. That’s why it is so hard.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I completely agree. As a play therapist, I often run into this and it does make it more difficult. I actually added a chapter on my book about potty training a child with special needs.
Carmen says
Becky, ,I have a five year old who will not potty train. She like to be as contrary as possible, so I’m sure this is why. We tried hard over the summer, trying everything to get her to sit for a short length of time on the potty. Nothing happened, so after I was worn out, I put her back in a diaper and she peed within three minutes. She is special needs, having many delays, and does not talk yet, but can communicate using signs and noises. If there is anything you can offer me to help I would really appreciate it!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Did you try the book? I have a chapter on special needs.
ps- I would come up with a sign that means potty. That’s what I did with a few of my special needs clients and it helped.
Private says
Feel free to come potty train my son then if it’s so easy. My son had no desire to go in his potty. We have tried many methods. I am super stressed about it and it doesn’t help reading comments like this. Every child is different. My pediatrician told me not to potty train until my son was three.
Sarah says
YES! Completely agree!
TM says
I don’t know your situation, but I hear a lot of women my mother and grandmothers age talk about how easy it was and don’t understand why I’m struggling. I can’t help but think it may have been easier because they worked as stay at home moms and could keep on top of it. It’s hard when you aren’t around during the majority of their day. That’s why I am super interested in this “do it in a weekend” plan. 🙂
Ana says
Thanks for your thoughts / tips Valerie. Strange enough, I’ve been taking my baby to the bathroom with me when he was much smaller than now (18 months now). Plus he always sees me using the toilet atleast once everyday – when I shower. So He knows how it must be done very well. And when his poop consistency changed, we began shaking off his poop into the toilet and flushing it while he watched. He thinks it is interesting. I don’t know how it will go, but I began potty training today because He actually rushed to the toilet this morning because he wanted to pee. He still had his nappy on and I just told him to tell me before he peed – inorder to slowly push him towards potty training someday. It has been a while since he has begun secretly taking off his diaper right after pooping. I guess it is all the signs of readiness that matters at the end. Not the age. We adults need to make potty interesting before attempting to train at all. I’m a stay at home mom btw. I can’t imagine a working mom doing the work I did today although we were successful 90% of the time today. It is so exhausting!
Yolanda says
Hey Valery, I’m actually super curious about the way you taught your children. The other day my husband’s aunt said casually that her eldest son was out of diapers by 11 months and I never knew it was even possible! Every mom I know doesnt even start until at least 2 years old. I think that disposable diapers has a lot to do with it. Did your children stop using diapers at night as well? Or does that take more time?
Sara says
Hi! My son is 18 months and I want to see if he is ready to potty train. Where can I find your book and how much does it cost? Thank you! I was really dreading potty training but now I’m getting excited!
Mary Reddington says
This is do funny, my mom would always say,”this to shall pass” I miss her every day…
Kristy says
I have tried everything with my son he refuses to poop in the pottie and he is now 5 years old and now my almost 3year old is following him….I am so lost. Can this book still help me
Thanks kristy
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Yes! We went through that same thing with our son. 🙂
Christine says
Any tips? My girl is 3.5 and refuses to poo on the toilet. Cries and cries
Crystal & Co says
I have potty trained many little ones (all boys) and have never been able to do it in 2-3 days.
Great ideas shared.
You made the best mom advice list! http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2013/04/best-mom-advice-42913/
Your Modern Family says
🙂 haha! Thanks, Crystal.
Beth says
Ack, I needed this so bad! I’m hoping to train my young’un this summer, and everyone (read: My Mother) keeps telling me it’s impossible and she’s too young. But I want her trained by two! I just pinned this so I can follow your advice when the time comes! Thanks!
Your Modern Family says
haha! It can definitely be done and you sound determined, so I’m guessing you’ll have her trained this summer. 🙂 Good luck!
Vicki Reed says
I potty trained my oldest son at 12 months, his brother wasn’t as easy . Of course all children are different. Also just trained my 18 month oks grandson in 3 days only 2 accidents (his momma & daddy took 3 days together & dedicated him all their attention,
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
That’s awesome!
Amie says
My little girl is 16 months old and she has problems with urinary tract and kidney infection so I want to get her potty trained as soon as possible but the problem is she takes naps 3 times a day still for 2 hours at a time any suggestions. Thanks amie
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I would wait a little longer with her because that is really hard about her urinary tract infection. Maybe ask the doctor around 20 months? My friend’s daughter had the same issues. I’m sorry.
Kel says
Get her on some children’s probiotics and perhaps small amounts of organic pure cranberry juice in wth her water or juices. Sugar intake perpetuates UTIs so switch to making berry and fruit teas and sweetening naturally with honey or stevia
Deb says
Kel says
December 22, 2015 at 8:21 am
Get her on some children’s probiotics and perhaps small amounts of organic pure cranberry juice in wth her water or juices. Sugar intake perpetuates UTIs so switch to making berry and fruit teas and sweetening naturally with honey or stevia
Casey says
If your child is napping that much at that age, she is not getting enough night time sleep!!!
Amy Shepley says
I think every child is different. My nephew sleeps for 10 hours every night, and still naps for 3 hours in the afternoon! He’s almost 3! His brothers were the same 🙂
Kate from Food from our life says
We wait until they’re ready, ditch nappy pants and go for it… no tears, no stress and remembering not to make them feel bad if they have an accident… it’s all about learning how to do it and being old enough to recognize the signs.
Every child is different and learns these things in different ways and night training is COMPLETELY different to daytime training and is all about the hormone that triggers a reduction in urine production over night and the size of their bladder.
J Weaver says
I totally agree with waiting until they are ready and not stressing the child out. Each child is different and I hate seeing a child punished for having an accident with potty training!
Tammy says
Hi i am a grandmother that helping her daughter with her 4 kids. She has a set twin girls that are 17 months and thjnking about potty training. I was wondering if you have any adice in how i can train both of them or do one at a time.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I’ve never trained twins, but if it were me, I’d train them the exact same way that I would train just one child… it would just be more work, but I also think that they would learn quicker together, by watching one another.
Lyssa says
This is how I did it with my two at 18 months for my daughter and 16 for my son, it is MUCH easier you said after only two days of any real work! I posted my experiences as well on my blog, but this pretty much covers it (although I was a bit less dramatic with the oh nos and the dancing ;). Thanks for posting! I wish every mommy knew that early is so worth it!
Your Modern Family says
haha!!
I know- just a few days of hard work & its all done. 🙂 I completely agree! Thanks for posting.
angel says
Where can I find your blog. I’m going to start working on my 19 month old son. He keeps taking his diapers off, he watches his brother (5) and his dad pee in the potty and for the past few nights he hasn’t been peeing at night in his diaper. He doesn’t let us know when he pees but he does let us know when he poops (after) angel_lowder@yahoo.com
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Are you looking for the book? You can find it on Amazon or on my page on the home screen. 🙂
Whitley says
THIS IS AWESOME! Im a few months from doing this and I love that you broke the last day down into a specific time frame for me!
Your Modern Family says
Good luck! I’m so glad that you found it helpful!
Marissa says
So my daughter does great when she is bare bottomed, very few accidents and will pee and poop on her own. But when she has on undies she refuses to go on the potty and will hold it for hours until it she explodes and it goes everywhere. I’m not really sure what her reason is for not wanting to pull down her pants. Any advise on the bare bottom to undies transition?
Your Modern Family says
I had the HARDEST time with our third son with this. I had to extend the naked period to over a week and anytime that we were at home, he was naked for about 3 weeks (really!) He ended up getting it, but none of our other kids did this, so it was a huge hurdle for me, as well. I kept telling him “No.” when he would go in his undies and keep taking him to the potty often & reward him when he does (praise or even a sticker or M&M).
Corbett says
My daughter is potty trained… Naked. (Insert sarcasm) As soon as I put on panties, she inevitably pees or poops in them. We started on Saturday so I had a 3 day weekend, it’s now Thursday. I’m thinking I leave her naked when we are at home and try panties after nap in the afternoon to try to break them in. Anything else I should try? What if I want to leave the house? Just stay home for 3 weeks?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I have heard this more often with girls than boys. I would put her in the thicker training undies if you are going out, (because they will still notice, but maybe AFTER they have a little dribble in their underwear) but leave her naked at home for another week.
Julie says
Thank you for this post!! We completed day one, and our 24-month-old daughter did great! A few accidents, but a ton of successful potty dances and M&Ms!! We’ve had our potty chair in the living room and have taken it outside when we play out there. Our chair can come apart where the seat can attach onto the actual toilet in the bathroom. When do you recommend transitioning to the big toilet?
Your Modern Family says
I kept ours out until they could use the big toilet unassisted, because when I put it away too soon and wasn’t able to get them to the potty fast enough (if I was busy with another child), there would be an accident. Usually about 2 months, I’d say. 🙂
Good job on day 1! Keep it up! 🙂
Rachel R. says
I wish I could get my 2yo to sign “potty.” This is our biggest hurdle with her – she doesn’t communicate well enough to tell us she has to go. (Her big sisters were talking a lot more by this age.) She’s been physically ready for months – and will go on the potty when we put her there (before baths, etc.) – she just isn’t all the way at NO diapers yet.
BTW, we’ve found that Huggies Slip-On diapers are GREAT for anyone who’s in-between like this. (My dd was REALLY not a good talker when she was first physically ready, and by the time we thought we might be able to convince her to use SOME method of communication, I was on bed rest and now have a new baby. So potty training has been back-burnered.) The Slip-On diapers are designed to hold the quantity of urine a regular diaper holds, but they’re easy up and down for little ones who are wanting to use the pot some of the time. (This has been especially handy at church, as she will now occasionally indicate she wants to go, and we hated having to lay her on the bathroom floor to get a fresh diaper on her after an attempt. Yuck!)
I assume that your method would not be good to use while nursing a newborn, unless hubby is going to do the potty training?
Your Modern Family says
I always trained before the baby came (when I was about 8 months pregnant), so I don’t have experience with a newborn, but if you can keep an eye on your older one, I’d say you can do it! 🙂 If not, maybe wait a month until the baby is on a consistent schedule so that you will be able to anticipate when you need to take her to use the potty before you nurse.
danicia says
so I have a question for you; my daughter is almost 19 months old, I have been potty training on and off since she was 6 months old, more of getting her used to the potty vs saying “so long!” to diapers. the first day of this potty training regimen she did GREAT…until daddy came home, then it was accidents the rest of the night. we’re on the latter part of day two and it has been BAD. only like 10% success today. daddy was home all day (as it is the weekend). we did 30 minute intervals for potty breaks, 20 minutes if no potty. she gets an m&m if she uses the potty but today we just weren’t having it. I KNOW she is capable of learning, she’s been giving me signs for weeks. do you have any idea what I may or may not be doing that is causing regression before we even see constant success? i’m going to have to repeat day 2 and hope for better results tomorrow. any input you have would be GREATLY appreciated and thank you for your post!
Your Modern Family says
Hey-
Our third son (I think) did worse on day 2 than day 1. Keep at it. She is probably just excited to see your husband and isn’t thinking about going to the potty. Is he helping? That will make a big difference. Get him on board completely (praising, saying No…)
It might just take an extra day or two, but don’t give up yet. 🙂 Worse case scenario: you give it 2 more days and she doesn’t do any better and you have to wait a few weeks (this happened with our third son).
Keep me posted. I’ll be curious to see how she does.
Facebook me to let me know- http://www.facebook.com/Yourmodernfamily
danicia says
thank you! we’ll keep at it and hopefully see results!! 🙂
Christianbabe says
No child can potty train at six months or twelves – most kids are not even ready til they are 2 – we tried training our daughter at 18 months – yeah she did it for a awhile but it is more us being trained to put her on the toilet than her understanding what she needed to do.
Nagla says
Yes that’s right
My 28 month son the same . I started potty training with him but he can’t understand to say i want do pee or poo . Everything depends on me to put him in potty
tracy says
All 3 of my children and 2 grandchildren were potty trained by the age of 2. I had a potty chair in almost every room of the house and all 5 ran around naked so I could see when they had to go. It can be done but it is time consuming for a few days. I have one more grandson who is 2 and 1/2 who needs to spend a week with me because that is to old to be saying I stink and getting me a pull up.
Betty says
I potty trained my daughter in two days. When she was 15 months old she would tell me she was wet and wanted a new diaper. That was my clue. So I put the potty chair in the living room in front of the coffee table and put a jar of M&M’s on the coffee table. She love M&M’s. I told her she can have a M&M when she used the potty chair. She want to sit on it all the time, I didn’t have to put her on it. She want her M&M and I told her no pee pee no candy. When she did go I would give her just 2 M&M’s and she was happy. On day two I just put about 8 M&M’s in the bowl and when they were gone there was no more. She never ask for M&M’s after that say just tell me when she had to go. Now this did not work for my son he did not care about getting candy.
Your Modern Family says
That’s good advice on the bowl!
Joy says
My mom used raisins to train all 5 of us. That’s what I also used with my daughter (who is now 19 months). This is a good option for those who don’t do candy, and my daughter loves raisins every bit as much as any M&M lover.
Your Modern Family says
OH- good idea! Oh- maybe even those yogurt-covered raising (b/c they taste like candy anyways.). Thanks, Joy!
Tiffany says
I bought a training potty when my son was only a few months old. he is 15 months right now. It was my plan to start potty training this summer! i can’t wait to try this!
About sitting vs. standing…. i am a preschool teacher and i have encountered MANY MANY boys that are trained to pee in the toilet but still poop in their pants or hold it in to the point where they have to visit the doctor.
If they learn to sit and go pee, sitting to go poop feels natural. 🙂
So i would make these 4 and 5 year old boys sit every time they went pee and with all but 1 it worked! and he was a special case.
Your Modern Family says
Can I use that in my book? Such a great point about sitting for that reason!
Cindy says
I didn’t know about the 3 day potty training back when I was doing the potty training duty. I potty trained my boys sitting down, then once they got used to going I trained them to stand when they had to just pee. It wasn’t hard to do the transition from sitting to standing. They knew they were big boys then!
jc says
Use the towel potty training method. My friend joy potty trains her son that way.
Nancy says
My daughter is 4 now and I had her going poop in the potty at 15 months. She still pees in her undies and I have her going potty every 30 to 45 min but she still pees a little in her undies. She does not want to stop what she is doing to potty. I am getting really frustrated with her. I was really sick at the beginning of the year for about 2 months and she has gotten worse. I don’t what to do she does not care that she is wet or that I am upset with her. Advise please.
Your Modern Family says
Our third son did this a bit & we went back to the naked method (what the book is about) and it really helped!! We did it after our baby was born & he regressed. We did this for a few days & he went back to normal. Its almost like potty training all over again when they do this.
At four years old, I think that I would keep doing what you are doing. I would take things away for not using the potty (Tv time, or a special toy). And reward for a dry day. (stay dry today & have ice cream tonight)- since she is old enough to understand.
christy says
my daughter is three and will poop in pot but refuses to pee she was trained completly until she got a uti she never ran a fever and didnt have no signs so you may want to have her checked before taking to much away it isvery agravating i know, now i think she is scared its going to burn if she goes to the tolit but never misses it for a poop… i Had no trouble with my son who is now 5 i trained him naked and he went outside to water my plants i never had no trouble even at night knock on wood when he trained it was no more diapers or pull ups period, but now he still thinks he supose to go outside no matter where and let me say it’s not the best thing while pumping gas lol
Your Modern Family says
Good point & that is hilarious about your son!!
Melissa says
If a child is continuously a little wet, it can be a physical problem and requires a urologist.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
True. They should be able to stay dry for at least an hour (so says our pediatricion) 🙂
Cindy Dotson says
When my daughter was 3 years old and continued to poop in her panties, I got really tired of it, I told her fine, if thats what she wanted to do she could go in and wash them panties out herself, she quit that real quick and realized she could go right back to what she was doing after going potty.
Belinda Yocom says
Lacy panties worked for us. My daughter refused to mess up her cute little lacy panties. Super Hero underwear, (Batman and Superman) worked for our son. Peeing in the training pants was ok, but not in those special panties.
Bethany says
My son is 20 months, and we have always done sign language with him. He has recently started signing “diaper” when he poops, sometimes before (yay!), so I am thinking he might be ready! I better get on this…
Your Modern Family says
I bet he’s ready! Good luck! Our first son was really young, too, and did great! 🙂 Good luck!
Maria says
Hi! I’m in love with this method and it worked except…. we are stuck – she goes potty when she needs, doesn’t even tell me. Great!!! Except now with underwear in she sits and goes but doesn’t pull them down or tell me she needs them down… so she goes in the potty but through her undies too… so no I’m stumped – any advise? She’s 21 mos
Atur Bhuck says
With me I loved my dark blue stripe undies that I always pulled my dark blue stripe undies even if I pottied through my dark blue stripe undies and sob bitterly that I couldn’t pull down my dark blue stripe undies! Then, I tried to open the fly that I less seriously pottied through my dark blue stripe undies and sobbed less bitterly! I am of profound mental retardation! The same for her! She must love her new dark blue stripe undies that she always pulls up her new dark blue stripe undies even if she seriously potties through her new dark blue stripe undies and sobbs bitterly that she can’t pull down her new dark blue stripe undies! Then she tries to pull the bottom and back of her new dark blue stripe undies to one side that she less seriously potties through her new dark blue stripe undies and sobs less bitterly!
hayley says
My daughter is just 15 months but VERY bright. She is starting to take her diaper off when she’s wet, and grabs me a diaper when she wants her bum changed. She also sots on her potty for a couple minutes at a time and always comes in the washroom with me and copies what I’m doing on the toilet. Do you think she’s too young to start something this rigorous? Should I just work on getting her introduced to the potty more and then train? Or would training like this now work? Your advice would be greatly appreciated! 🙂
Your Modern Family says
My neighbor’s daughter was trained at 15 months using our method. 🙂 Good luck!
Samantha says
Im a first time and teen mom. My son is almost 1 year old and when he pees his diaper he takes it off on his own and when he’s poopy he tells me “eewy”.
I know he’s still a little guy, but would it be worth trying and seeing what happens or wait a little longer?
Your Modern Family says
Is he around 11 months? I think that is a bit too young, but you could try looking into elimination communication for babies.
If he is almost two, I would definitely give it a try! As with all things- you never know until you try, so if you feel that your little guy is ready, give it a shot & see what happens.
Lenoria says
I know this is a late post but I had to comment on the early training. When my oldest daughter was a baby I started sitting her on a potty when she was just sitting up well, a couple months later if she “accidentally” peed in the potty I would clap and praise her and make a big deal of it and she would get excited too and she began to realize that using the potty was a great thing. She was completely potty trained with no diapers even at night and no accidents by 11 months. My second daughter was born when my oldest was 14 months old and the oldest would bring me diapers and bottles for the baby. She could also talk and walk by 12 months and threw her bottle away before she was a year old. My second daughter took a while longer (about 20 months) to be trained. So don’t be afraid to start young if you feel up to it, it may work or may not just don’t get upset if they stand up from the potty and go in the floor – there is always the next time and if they make the potty sing high praises!!
Lauren says
I have a 5 and 3 year old and my 5 year old pretty much potty trained his self at 3 by watching my niece. So he was very easy. But my 3 almost 4 year old is a lot harder. He has been naked for the past week or so and it is still hit and miss. I have tried every thing and he just isn’t getting it fully. When he is naked he will do pretty good maybe one or two accidents, but when I put him in underwear he always pees in them. He does the same when we go out even though I make him go before we leave. I don’t know if he thinks his underwear are pullups or what. I need so advice. Do I keep going or change things up or just give him a break again? Please help. The doc says he is healthy and normal but just stubborn.
Your Modern Family says
I have to agree w/ your dr…. I think he is just being stubborn. At 3, almost 4, I would not allow him to wear diapers anymore (except at rest/bed time). I would definitely keep working on it. I would resort to rewards for no accidents & peeing on the potty and time outs or taking something away for accidents.
lizz says
Hello…l am in search of something and came across your book/site. I have a son who just turned 3 and refuses to go potty. He used to tell us when needed to go but now fusses when we try and bring him. I have been reading other comments and just read this reply about time outs or something for accidents…but i thought you should not punish for accidents? Thank you for any feedback/help.
Belinda Yocom says
Try the Super Hero underwear. My son really loved his and didn’t want to have them dirtied up. We also used Toasted Oat cereal like “Cheerios” to put a couple in the toilet, and let him stand on a small step stool and aim at them when he is peeing standing up. It made him want to pee in the toilet.
Shannon says
I did this method exactly with my two year old daughter before reading this post, and I had the same results. My daughter was completely daytime potty trained in 3 days. So this method works very well!!! I even used the same potty chair too. I think one of the biggest things that works for this method is waiting until the child is a little older ( between the 20-24 month range) and can understand the potty training concept.
Your Modern Family says
awesome!
Kearra says
Our daughter will be 18 months in a few days . She sometimes pulls on her diaper when it’s wet and comes in the bathroom with me . Does that mean she could be ready to start potty training? She says simple words like hi, bye , ma ma, da da but she can’t fully talk yet .
What is the first step to starting since we’ve already went and purchased a potty or could she be too young
Becky Mansfield says
If she is pulling at her diaper, that’s a great sign that she is ready to start. 🙂
Xannah B. says
I appreciate your tips so much. My son is 23 months and I am pregnant with my second child due in march. Potty training was a must, as diapers are so pricey. He is on day 2 of the bare bottom method you suggest. He is learning quickly and no accidents this morning. He didn’t pee til I took his diaper off and put him on potty when he woke up! so proud of him. Thanks again
Your Modern Family says
That’s fantastic! Great job!
Xannah B. says
My son is still doing very well although today I put him in undies and he will still go on potty but will not pull down undies to go. Any suggestions?
Your Modern Family says
Do you have my book? This happened to us a lot, so I have suggestions in there. Our 3rd son did this more than the others. This is the hardest day! Ugh. I feel for you- its frustrating!
Laura says
I tried to do this with my twins when they were 17 months old. My Bri seemed like she was getting it, but Kyla every time she peed she would seriously freak out and suddenly hates the potty seat even though before they would just sit on them while I read to them. So I had to stop after the second day because she seemed so emotionally stressed out about it (and she wouldn’t stop sitting on my lap and I didn’t want her to pee on me. . .) Any suggestions? I also stopped because it was SO much work and I have a two month old. My girls are about to be 19 months. I have three in diapers- help!
Your Modern Family says
If it were me, I would give them another month & then try again. I had to do this with our 3rd son. You could even just train one at a time, to make it easier (or try having someone help with the other two.) It would be so hard with a baby- I trained mine before the new baby came (each time), so I am sure you are so busy right now!!
carleen says
Great advice. All my children potty trained at different ages even though I tried when they were really young. One child was potty trained as early as 21 months while another wasn’t ready until she was almost 4! The latter had constipation problems that contributed to the problem and had been on laxatives since birth. I used to believed that all children were ready at a young age and that it was just so much effort on the parents part that some parents would just delay (which is what I did with my first child). Now I realize that child readiness is a very important factor. I guess my point is every child is different but it doesn’t hurt to try early. I have one more on the way and I will for sure try all these methods. Thank you for sharing.
christin says
Hello. How long should I leave my little girl on the potty during the 20 minute intervals? I dont want to leave her on too long if she is not going, since she will be back on in 20 minutes. Thanks in advance.
Your Modern Family says
I just always left them about a minute. 🙂
Jennifer says
My first took to potty training very easy. My son 3yrs on the other hand is very stubborn. He gets very mad if we try to get him to go potty. Will fight if you put him on potty. Any advice.
Your Modern Family says
messaging you.
Anett says
Same problem here, we had our 3yr old trained except sleeping time), then he regressed after a stomach flu (lots of diarrhea) a couple of months back. Now he cries and screams, I’m at the end of my witts, since hes fine once he actually sits…
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
This happened to a lot of friends of mine. I think because they had belly aches, so they are associating it with using the potty. Good luck!
Gina says
Adore this post!
Margareth says
I love this post thanks. if you need more tips and techniques you can learn on my site . How to potty train a boy
Kara says
So glad to hear regression is normal after a few days – especially with introducing undies. We had lots of accidents today with undies on – and off – with our 16 month old, even though we had no accidents the past few days!!! Really reassuring. Thanks so much for your post – it was so helpful!! Everyone thinks I’m crazy for training a 16 month old but I wanted to start before she had an aversion to the potty or enjoyed/preferred going in the diaper. This method really gave me the confidence to try – and its working. THANK YOU! 🙂
Kaitlyn says
Great tips for potty training! I’ve just started potty training my 18-month old son. Do you recomend keeping the potty in the bathroom or keeping it close by to where he’s playing, etc? Thank you!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I keep it where we are playing and then I move it into the bathroom when I think they are ready (after the initial training, once they are more used to it)
amber says
I want ur book. my son is ready to be potty trained but i need help. He is my first bio child. My step daughter was 5 when my husband and I got married. So i have never had to potty train. Where can i get it and how much does it run.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
e-mailing you. 🙂
Kelly DeLeon says
Love all of the tips on this page. We are on day one of our three day push to potty train.
Martrella says
Your blog is such a blessing! Keep up the good work!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Aww- thank you, Martrella!
Mom of Kyle says
My son was 13m+ when I started to check on his diaper and to make him pee in the toilet. And then he was almost there to be off the diaper and telling me when he wants to pee, whne he fell sick and had to get admitted so again I had to start it all over again. And it was around when he was 19m I started and by the time he was 24m he was not using diapers to sleep even! I think if you start early, as young as 4-5m they ultimately find a way to tell you when they want to pee o poop. I had my aunt train her son at 4m and when he was around 8m he was off the diaper totally!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
wow!
Meagan says
Does this method work for children with autism?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I’m not sure. I work with autistic children, but I don’t have any of my own. Sorry. I wish that I could be more helpful.
Jenn says
Hi! I’ve read this page a few times (I keep coming back to it…) We took my daughter’s diapers away at 18 months and she was doing really well with minimal accidents but then at about 21-22 months started having lots of accidents again (mainly at daycare, where she is too absorbed in playing to want to go, even when she is put on the potty). We put her in diapers for naps and bedtime and she will talk about how she is going pee in her diaper (she is very verbal) and will test us by talking about places where she has had accidents (“I go pee pee on the floor”). Will there be anything in your book for suggestions on how to get past this phase? I know she can do it, she has periods where she goes by herself and keeps her panties dry, and other times it’s like she doesn’t care and will just pee in her underwear (mainly when playing or otherwise occupied). Should I put her back in diapers (I’m worried she will like it!)? ironically, when we go out in public she tends to be a bit better. And poop accidents since 18 months have been very rare, it’s mainly pees (she’s 23 months now). If your book has anything to help I will definitely get it! Thanks 🙂
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
haha! I cover everything with that- b/c our son did this. Ugh! Its hard, but you can do it!
Jennifer says
Great, thanks! And thank for the encouragement 🙂
Latisha says
I have 2 boys (foster children). One 19mo & another age 3. the 19mo old is showing signs of being ready and the 3 yr old is for sure past being ready. Should I try to train them both at the same time?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I would work on the 3 year old first. Honestly, I think it would be so hard to train 2 at one time because of how closely you have to watch the younger on. I bet you can have your 3 year old trained in a day.
Sandra says
We used this method when my daughter was 17 month. It was amazing. I got this method from babycenter.com. My daughter was potty trained in one day and on the second day she was wearing training undies. On the third day we drove around the block then had her use the potty outside. We did this and kept prolonging the amour of time we were out so she could learn that no matter where she was, she needed to hold it. We had no accidents.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
awesome- it works like a charm. 🙂
Lisa says
how close is too close to a major event? My son (21 moths) says “caca” when he goes #2, he wants to help “wipe” when we change his diaper, and can for sure stay dry longer than an hour. However, he do NOT like sitting on the potty chair for more than like 20 seconds… he just says all done and wants OFF… he is very verbal and understands going “caca” or to the bathroom., but freaks when we put him on the toilet or potty chair. I am due with baby number 2 in 6-8 weeks… are we too close to a major event?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I would go for it!! 🙂
Donna says
I have a 3 year old daughter who is refusing to wee on any toilet. I tried stayin in With her having her nappy off n doing a sticker chart and anything I can think off I tried. It’s hard for me as I’m a single mum. Having college and she’s at nursery I don’t get days where can sit in as I like. Was hoping to do it this summer but havin new kitchen being fitted so can’t leave her bare n all wen so much being done. I just feel like Im lettin her down. Trying my hardest :(. She sits on her toilet for 2 secs n she says she’s done but she hasn’t. I just need some advice. Thank u
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Have you tried reading my potty train in a weekend book? I have so many little details in there (100 pages worth- haha!) to help with things like this. I would just do that method for the whole weekend (in the summer if you chose that). 🙂 At three, she is definitely old enough to understand it. 🙂
Jill says
I’m currently pregnant with my first child (18 weeks. We find out what it is August 14th!) and have been terrified about the potty training thing when that time comes due to complications in my childhood. I was potty trained at 2 but became type 1 diabetic 6 months later which it causes frequent urination. I stayed in pull ups until I was 6 years old. I remember going to sleep overs and being embarrassed to have to put my pull up on at night. Seeing these post have made this ‘fear’ better but I’m having trouble finding your book. :c
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I bet that was hard for you!!! I’m glad that I helped, even a little. 🙂 Ps- I’m so excited for you!!! Come back & comment to let me know what you are having. 🙂
So- for the book… You can buy the kindle version here: http://www.amazon.com/Potty-Train-Weekend-Rebecca-Mansfield-ebook/dp/B00E09JEM2
Or you can buy the PDF here: https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?c=cart&i=1244958&cl=238186&ejc=2
There will be a paperback book available within the week. 🙂
christina says
I need help! I have a 3 year old son thats does very well going pee in the potty but i cannot seem to get him to go poop, he will poop in his underware or he will just hold it in, but he will not poop in the potty. I have tried just about everything i can think of to try and help him, but he thinks pooping in the potty is a bad thing for some reason?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Oh my goodness- do you have our son? haha! Did you read my book? I dedicated a few pages just to that b/c we dealt with that very same issue. 🙂 lol!
Heather says
Thanks for this since my son is 25 months and we should do this soon!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Good luck! 🙂
Jamie says
I did this method with my first and had great success. I’m attempting with my second (27 months), with little success. He will go if I put him on, but doesn’t recognize the need to go on his own. We’ve been at it for a month and seeing regression. Pooping with/without underwear. I have a four month old at home too. Do I put it off and try later? Do I go back to diapers?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I think at 27 months he is ready for it. Do you have my book (because that is what our 3rd son did, too).
Melody says
I have 4 kids. Three boys ages 13, 11, 9 and our daughter just turned 3. My boys were pretty easy to potty train. They were all 2 yrs old when they were potty trained. A few months ago I tried to potty train my daughter and she had a huge freak out!! She was sitting on the potty and panicked when she was about to pee and stood up and then had an accident all over herself. After that she would never try again. She would not even pee in her diaper after that. She would hold it for about 12 hours and then finally pee in a diaper after she couldn’t hold it any longer. After several days like this she finally started going potty in her diaper again. Its been a few months and she will sit on the potty finally but still only with clothes on. Im not sure what to try with her. Any ideas?
Thank you!
ps I thought girls were supposed to be easy to potty train lol
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
haha!! I think that boys are SO MUCH EASIER!!! I plan on writing a post about that one very soon! 🙂
I don’t have advice for you- I’m sorry. I can’t even think of what to tell you to try. ? 🙁 Keep me posted (seriously)
JR says
This is great advice and can’t wait to try it with my 2 1/2 yr. old son. Now do you have any advice for getting him to sleep in his big boy bed? Lol.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
haha! I do! https://www.yourmodernfamily.com/crib-to-bed/
Regina says
I received the free book but I never got the potty book. Thank u
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Regina- email me at yourmodernfamily@gmail.com and I’ll figure out what happened. 🙂
Michelle says
My girl just turned 2 years old and we gave this method a try. She can understands ‘pee’ and able to tell us after she has done a poo. However, when we took off her diaper one morning, she just refused to pee or poo all morning! As a result, I had a very upset and cranky child. I gave up in the end and as soon as I put her diaper on, she filled it up. So clearly she was holding it in. So any advice on how to encourage them to use the potty?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
This will sound crazy, I’m sure, but our daughter LOVED to sit on the potty because I put her potty by the TV and put FROZEN on. I only let her watch frozen if she was on the potty. WE did this for the first day & by the end of the first day, she got it. 🙂 On day 2, I moved it back into the bathroom. lol. (She doesn’t watch ANY TV, except Frozen… she just LOVES it!)
She just turned two, as well. 🙂
Talia says
my son is 13months old now. whenever he wakes up dry or has a dry diaper after a long time, i sit him on the potty and go “ssssss” and he’ll pee! when he first did this several months ago, i thought i had a little potty prodigy on my hands. i’m already seeing some of the signs you talk about, but really, he’s just now starting to walk confidently on his own, so i haven’t tried any serious potty training yet. we have a cruise planned in january and he’ll be fifteen months; i’d love to have him trained by then so i don’t have to take diapers on the trip. i have a week off at Christmas and i’m thinking about making it potty training time. do you think going on a trip so soon afterwards would wreck any progress that we make?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I think that going on a trip will make it harder, but its still possible. You might want to buy those thick training pants for the trip (because if you are on a plane, or in line to check in and he has to pee… that will be hard.)
My dear friend’s daughter was trained at this age using my weekend book method, so I’d give it a shot. 🙂
Dana says
Hello,
I’m a SAHM of a fiercely independent 19 month old boy. He has been showing signs of being ready to potty train ie: interested in what mommy and Daddy do in the bathroom, says poo poo when he goes in his diaper, taking diaper off when soiled, and the hardest one for mommy he throws temper tantrums when I change him. Huge screaming and kicking fits. That’s what spurred me to start today. He’s done really well. He’s been naked all day and gone pee and poo on the potty multiple times now, but also had many pee accidents where I am rushing him to the potty. When I do that he clams up and stops going. I think it just surprises him and he can’t go then. Is there a better approach than just sweeping him off his feet and/or sticking the potty in front of him?
Thanks so much,
Dana
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Do you have the book? I share a few other little ways that have worked with our kids when they wouldn’t go. It can be different for each child- each of our four were so different. 😉 LOL!!
Read the chapter on ‘pee but won’t poop’ on the potty… it has the same advice that I’d give you about when they clam up (b/c that is JUST what our daughter did!)
Lissy says
My son is 18 months old, and we are on day two of your program. Yesterday started off great. I just had him in leggings, and he had one accident, but I was able to get him on the potty to finish. We celebrated and I gave him a raisin for going pee pee in his potty. He had one more accident later, and I just calmly said, “oh, we go pee pee in the potty, not the floor,” and sat him on his potty. He had one more accident around 1pm, and I responded the same way. The problem is that he then started holding it in the afternoon until his nap time, and then he woke up with poop and pee in his diaper. The same thing happened again between his nap and bed time. This morning he held it again (for 2 1/2 hours) until nap time. My husband picked up toddler underwear, as we were thinking maybe my son just needed that closeness of material to feel comfortable (all he’s known is going potty in his diaper, besides the handful of times he’s gone while having “naked baby” time). I was even HOPING for an accident so we could have a teaching moment. Nothing. He didn’t pee or poo at all. He’s now down for his afternoon nap with a diaper on. I don’t know what to do to encourage him to go potty without a diaper. Help! Anyone?! I don’t want him to develop a UTI.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Do you have the book? Our daughter did this, too. We waited about two months & tried again. It made all the difference.
If you get the book, read the chapter on “pee but won’t poop” because I followed that to a T and it worked for her.
ps- My kids always waited to poop until nap time, but that doesn’t last long. 🙂 Just a month or so before they stop doing that.
Raven says
Hey, I just found this when looking for the reason that my 18 month old woke up with a dry diaper! We have been doing potty training off and on lately. I just take her and sit her on her potty when I go. She used it twice already, both times right after waking. Today her diaper was dry! So maybe this means we are doing good with the potty.:) Thanks for the extra advice. Here’s to hoping I can potty train my girl by Christmas! 🙂
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
good luck!
Christina says
Hi, I just bought your book on my kindle. I noticed you mentioned above we would have access to email you. How can I go about doing that? Thanks!!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Just email me at yourmodernfamily@gmail.com if you have any questions. 🙂
Danell says
I think my 18 month old may be ready to try this, I’m very nervous because I had MAJOR problems with potty training my twins. My question is because our house is cooler now that it is winter, I don’t think I can leave her completely naked for a day, she will be too cold. If I wait til next spring will I “miss the window” I hate to wait, she really hates diapers.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I used to use those baby leggings on our kids when it was cold (use the code YMF4 to get them for free at babyleggings.com) and then just a short (like to their belly button) shirt w/ long sleeves.
Jenni says
I’m doing this but my son won’t poop. How do you get them to feel comfortable to go poop on the potty?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Do you have my book? I have a whole chapter devoted to it b/c our son was the SAME way. lol. Its so hard to get them over that hump… but they get there. 🙂
angel says
Hi, I wanted to know if my 19 month old is ready to use the potty. At around 15m he started taking off his diaper every once in a blue moon, the first time he had a poppy diaper and had poop everywhere so now every time he takes off his diaper I freak a little BC of the poop everywhere thing. About 18m he started telling us he poopy while grabbing the back of his diaper but before that at around 15m almost every time he pee’d he would grab the front of his diaper. And for the past 3 night he hasn’t been peeing in his diaper, first morning he woke up and about 20 min later he peed in his diaper, second morning he got in the shower with his dad about 15 min after getting up and peed in the shower, this morning he didn’t pee until after breakfast time (after 8:30) and he had a bunch of juice throughout the night (he was having a rough night and the juice was the only thing that soothed him) but after all that juice he still didn’t pee until after breakfast. He sees his dad pee all the time and his brother (age 5) just a few times when he leaves the door open. He enjoys flushing the toilet. Just want to make sure he’s ready for the potty. Your advice would be greatly appreciated. angel_lowder@yahoo.com
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
19 months is young, but my neighbor trained her daughter at 18 months with complete success, using my book. I think it can be done. 🙂 You could give it a try for a few days & see. Usually if they are that young, it takes an extra day or two, but it might be worth a shot! 🙂
angel says
My boss trained all her kids at 18 months and she use to teach in a class and she would tell the parents once the kids turned 18 months not to bring in any pull ups just underwear
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
🙂 awesome!
Holly says
we started day one today and have been doing great. We’ve had our accidents but have gone in the potty multiple times now, however he cries the entire time he is on the potty. He just doesn’t want to sit down. He know he has to go but seems scared of our potty. Do you think I should try a different kind of potty, or do you have any tips to get a toddler to stay seated long enough to finished peeing.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Our daughter did that, too, but she stopped after about 2 days. I bought her the Frog Potty (sold at Target) and she LOVES it!!! My friend told me to get it for her & it worked. 🙂 You might give it a try 🙂
Ps- in my book, I share a ton of tips ( a whole chapter) on how to get them to stay on the potty b/c our son didn’t want to sit long either.
Good luck!!
Heather says
My stepson will be 3 years old in May. He absolutely refuses to go potty. He doesn’t like to sit on it and when we tried to put him in underwear so he would be able to feel the wetness, he went through 5 pairs in one hours. Any advice…?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I just do the completely naked method and take them to the potty often.
Christmas Davis says
In getting ready to train my 19mo old twin girls. What kind of underwear did you use starting at the end of day three? The regular big girl panties or the padded training pants? Thank you! 🙂
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
The padded ones are perfect but I always used regular because I couldn’t find the padded ones. IF you can find those- I’d get them, because they make cleaning up any accidents so much easier!
Nykee says
My oldest decided she was done using a diaper at 15 months. She spotted a potty that she loved at Big Lots and asked for it, so I got it, we went home, she sat, she went, and good bye diapers. I got off easy that time. But, this is exactly what I did with the other two… 3 days home, and they were done. I think you’re absolutely right that there’s a window and you don’t want to miss it!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
That’s awesome!! 🙂
shay says
Hi! I wish I had found this sooner…my daughter is almost 3…35 months old….is it too late to do this? We’ve tried to train her before, and she can go on her potty…but she doesn’t want to. It should be noted that I just had a baby in December and she broke her leg at the end of the fall…so she completely regressed.
Help! 🙂
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
No- its never to late! 🙂
Christene says
I got your book and am on day 3 my daughter went peed twice in the potty on day 2 and did go to poop in the potty before bed but it’s normally in the afternoon and evenings when she has gone potty. It is day 3 and she has been up for 3 hours and has not gone. She hasn’t had an accident and when I ask if she has to go she says no. The first two days she would go a little at a time so she would go in the potty just a little and then accidentally go on the floor a little an then back to the potty and pee a little. I’m not sure what to do
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
That happens with our kids, too- try pushing juice, water, etc… 🙂
Singlemom says
I’m a single mom of two boys. My youngest will be 3 in august and I’ve had no luck potty training! He won’t run naked! And is scared to death of using the potty, even the little ones!… And my oldest is 4, he’s been potty trained since about two and a half but recently had started peeing the bed. Any suggestions or helpful advice would be greatly appreciated!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Oh man! You should read my book. I seriously lay out EVERYTHING that I could think of in there. 🙂 (too much to write in here. lol!)
Marcia says
This is exactly how I potty trained both my girls…. I will say the second one was much harder than the first. I was a stay at home mom and for three or four days I did not leave the house, they wore underwear , and there were many mad dashes to the potty chair! ??
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Yes- it gets harder each time (I think b/c we have to focus on too many people! haha!)
Madison says
My son is 18 months and I would love to start working with him on potty training. My question is what do you do at night time? Do they sleep in underwear or diapers?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
We started in diapers, but in the book I talk about how to transition to underwear. We were able to train our first son to do both right away.
josh says
my daughter was by far the easiest she practically did herself at a bit over a year and a half i let her run around in just undies for about 3 days being that it was summer an id tell her about 3 or 4 times a day to tell daddy if she needed to go to the toilet to do wees or poos ….was one or 2 wee accidents on day 1 day 2 i ran her to the toilet when she was half way thru a wee day 3 or day 4 she was telling me that she needed to go to the toilet …. done easy she had accidents every now and then like long car rides or u know the usual but other than that she was sorted
Pamala McMorrow says
I started training my kids aournd 14 mo…I had two boys and they were both totally trained at 18 months….My daughter in law just trained my granddaughter by 18 months…she is a teacher and just worked with her consistantly for 3 days..She said she just pretty much lived in the bathroom….I don’t think I like the idea of going aound with nothing on so that they have accidents on the floor…I don’t think that is at all necessary, but to each his own…I also have a very good chinese friend who has 3 boys…they were all trained by one year old….Done totally by one year….She said in chiina it is a disgrace for babies NOT to be trained by one year….so if they can do it, it can be done….parents just have to be consistant and most do not want to take the timeand just become lazy about it….I personally think it is a disgrace in America for 2 and 3 year olds to be still wearing diapers….In my opinion , it is a bad reflection on the parent….sorry if that seems offensive, but that is my opinion…Years ago our parents and grandparents always trained early…What changed…?
Gloria Kellly says
I doubt anyone will ever beat my mum’s record for potty training a child. I 60 years old and I’m the youngest of five children. There is a 9 year age gap between me and the next youngest sibling. Whenever my mum breast fed me, she sat me on a potty and she claims she never had a dirty nappy from me. That’s what I call organised!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
haha!! impressive! 🙂
Debbie says
Pottys are horrible things / never used one. My kids were toilet trained each within a week! My youngest wanted to use a potty but once was enough as it’s no different to a nappy!! You don’t need a book to get a child to use a proper toilet in a week!’
Mary says
I have twin boys can I use this same method for both of them at the same time
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Yep!
Rosalie Gaddy says
I purchased eBook and it downloaded, but won’t open. It says after 9 attempts that my link will expire. Help please!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
It’s just a browser issue. 🙂 I can e-mail you.
yolandi says
If I already bought a book and I downloaded it on a phone and my phone is gone stolen so I don’t have the book also ?? What can I do to get it again?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Can you just send me an email to yourmodernfamily@gmail.com and let me know the email that you used to buy the book
Lyzz says
Love the posts, love the book! BUT… I’m on morning of day 3 with a 22 month old. It was going pretty well day 1 and decent day 2. This morning it’s awful. He’s refusing to sit on the potty, and when he starts to go on the floor or outside refuses to sit to finish on the potty. I’m so frustrated and not sure if this is normal, do I push through, stop and try again in a few weeks? I’ve tried TV, iPad, everything I can think of. Thankfully it’s warm and I have tile floors so that part’s not a problem! Thanks
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
That’s very normal!! 🙂 Keep pushing through! (usually it is on day 2 – you guys just switched things up on me) 😉 Email me at yourmodernfamily@gmail.com & tell me how tomorrow goes.
JM says
This seems great for pee, which we have under control. I used a similar method and took only a few days. But poops. I’m having trouble getting my son to do it on the potty, this is something that it’s hard to catch, or if i do he runs away screaming no. He will sit on the potty but not poop. Then i put on a pull up if we have to go out and he’ll go right away. I tried putting a diaper in the potty and nothing is working. But because it’s a once a day thing it’s hard to be consistent. What would you recommend?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
We had that issue with our son, too. I have a full chapter on it. It really boils down to distracting them to get them to do it just a few times and then you are smooth sailing.
Amber says
I have potty trained 10 kiddos. I use a method similar to this, which can be helpful if THE CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT IS THERE! I think your book is reckless and harmful to parents potty training. You cannot get a child potty trained just because you are determined too….developmentally they have to be ready and not all kids develope at the same time.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I agree completely. I state, in the introduction, that you have to look for “readiness signs” and I talk about what that looks like.
Ann S. says
Is this worth trying with my (*gulp*) 4.5 year old son? He is not the first child for me to potty-train so I’ve done it successfully before, but I never struggled like this. My son is very independent and stubborn. We’ve tried everything; pull-ups, regular underwear, training underwear, no pants or underwear, prizes, treats, etc and nothing works with him (and we’ve been consistent for long periods in the method we’ve tried. It’s not try one day and then give up). I’ve brought it up to his pediatrician a few times and there’s nothing medically wrong with him, so the doctor says to be patient, he’ll get it on his own. When I’m home with him, I make him go every hour, sometimes he protests and other times he goes right in. I refuse to clean up after him, he has to change and clean himself, including if he poops. I don’t even feel like I can ask for help. Most of the time I don’t care what people think or say, but this one I’m embarrassed about, I feel like I’ve failed somehow. Here, I’m hiding behind a computer screen, so no one knows me. I just don’t know what to do anymore. He does best with the naked bottom method, he’ll actually go to the bathroom on his own then, but I can’t go out in public that way. Once he has pants/underwear/pull-up on, he goes in that. But he’s not afraid of the toilet at home or in public. He has a toy he really wants all picked out in the store that he gets once he’s trained. He says he knows his cartoon friends don’t like being peed or pooped on when he’s wearing underwear, but he still goes. He only uses the toilet at home when he’s naked, but I have 2 other kids, I can’t stay at home with him all the time. Since he will go on his own when he’s naked, I know that he knows the sensations. When I take him to public restrooms, he’ll go then but never says beforehand when he needs to go. I have no idea what to do. My oldest nephew took forever to potty-train, although in that case it was because my sister-in-law said it was for him to decide when he wanted to start using a toilet, not for her to decide for him. But I swear I’m getting pay back for the comments my husband and I would make about that situation. Now I have a kid who refuses to go even though we’re training him. Even his older brother cheers him on for using the toilet. Nothing seems to work!!! Please help, I’m tired of being frustrated and embarrassed. I’ve heard people say it took them weeks or months to potty train a child (I’m jealous of those who say a few days), but with mine it’s gotten to the point that I can say years. Who says that? And we’re lucky enough to live in a very small town so the preschool he goes to will still take him even though they say the child has to be potty-trained already. But I do NOT want to send him to kindergarten not potty-trained and that’s in one more year. What can we do and what are we doing wrong. Two intelligent parents should have this figured out. I don’t even set up play dates as I don’t want to admit to the other parents that he’s not potty trained. And the couple b-day parties we’ve let him go to, I just hope and hope he doesn’t go in his undies while he’s there.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Yes- I would definitely do it. He could be trained in a day, I bet.
Jamie Kris says
My 21 month old for a while now will stop and go potty (#1 & 2) only if he is not wearing a diaper, pull-up, or underwear. If he is wearing one, even if I ask and remind him to go he will not go potty. Only a few times has he said he needed to go and we praised him but he has no consistency when wearing something.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Yeah- it is hard if they have on a diaper or underwear at the beginning when you are training them.
shelleyb says
I admire your article. My boys never had pull ups. My boys never had the tiny potty. But, we did buy a seat insert to avoid falling in the potty. We had success within days. We may have had extra wet laundry for two days but it was worth it. I do not believe in pull ups and frustrated when consumers buy these.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Agreed – I think it is much faster & to the point to train without them, too. 🙂
frances says
I am a Day Mother to a little girl since she was 3 months old. She will be 3 in November. I would give her a sticker for every wee and another for a pooh. I put her on the toilet, I sit in front of her, holding her and then I tell her a story out my head. For her 1st pee of the morning she would want to hold it in till Mama came home. I now say to her, “Who wants to wee first, me or you?” and we both charge for the toilet. I use this method the whole day and it works each time as she wants to use the toilet first. No more “too late” laments.
Regards
Frances from Sunny South Africa
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
haha! cute!
Kylie says
So my son did GREAT on day 1. Lots of pee in the potty and only a few accidents. Now it is day 2 and he is doing worse. He will have an accident and then stop peeing on the potty and then finish on the floor again. He even does the potty dance and leaks a little and says he needs to go but won’t use the potty chair or potty. He also hasn’t pooped so that might be an issue too. Any advice? Your book is great by the way. I just want this to work.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Day 2 is ALWAYS the worst. Just keep on keepin’ on. 🙂
Juanita says
Hi,
My daughter is 13 months and I want to start potty train her. How do I do it? My thoughts were to buy a potty and every time I go to the loo, I want to put her on it as well… will that work?
Angelina says
Hey I love your article and am wanting to purchase your book. Can you please email me a link to buy it?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
https://www.yourmodernfamily.com/potty-train-in-a-weekend/
Jennifer says
I’m struggling with the night time potty training. Could it be that my 22mo old just isn’t ready to be night time trained? He is fully trained during the day and has been for a month now but has many accidents at night. He can articulate when he needs to go pee and poop but telling me with words and does during the day. He just doesn’t wake up at night. I’m beyond stressed for night time. We pee before bed, no liquids 2 hrs prior to bed, and we wake up an hr after going to bed and an hr before we wake up just to go pee. I’m just thinking he may not be physically or mentally ready to be potty trained at night and I should do pull ups 🙁 help plz!! I’m 31 weeks pregnant with our second and just can’t keep waking up throughout the night to change sheets and do laundry everyday!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Don’t worry about the night, honestly. Just concentrate on the day. The night time one varies so much from child to child. If ytou search my blog for night training, you’ll find a few things about it, but honestly, I would just stick to diapers for now. Two of our kids were trained day and night right away and two were only trained in the day. It just changes so much depending on the child.
Alice says
Does this method work for children that are older? My son is 2.5 and showing some signs (watching others, knows when he’s wet and poopy and wants a clean diaper, etc.).
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Yes. 2.5 is a great age to do this. He will probably pick it up pretty quickly (I’d say if you really work hard at it ALL day, he could be trained in a day at that age).
Kylee Hillis says
Hi, my name is Kylee I’m a momma of a beautiful six year old Leah and triplet girls, Payton, Isabella, & Julianna; who just turned two. Leah was telling me at 18 months that she wanted to go pee pee. However with the trips is a different story, no interest and not a ton of verbal cues that Leah possest. I’m wondering if you think training them all in one swoop or splitting them up would be best?? HELP! Thanks!
Kylee
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Wow- that’s hard one. I will ask on my Facebook page tomorrow. http://www.facebook.com/Yourmodernfamily 🙂
Nikki says
My son will be four on feb 28 and I am not sure what to do anymore. He will go weeks at time with no accidents then just lay in my bed wide awake and just pee. Or we go shopping and he just poops on himself. I am not sure what I am doing wrong or right. Any advice to help me.
Stacy Phillips says
I wish I would have had your book when my kids were potty training. Now one an adult and one in high school, we’re way past that stage. Our son seemed to take forever, trying for a while, then pausing and picking it back up later. I used a baby doll that peed when you gave it a bottle and tried treats and books and it seemed we would never get there. With our daughter, I did pretty much what you’ve talked about. I found that the cloth training pants did the trick, without the security of a diaper or pull-up. She was fully trained at 18 months.
Crystal says
What if you have twins that are both ready to potty train?? I’m a first time mom to 17 month old boys who I believe will be ready very soon. They don’t like to be wet or dirty so they try and sometimes do take their diapers off..
Chantelle says
My son is good during the day, but we have problems at night. Any recommendations?
Amina Darries says
great tips!!!
Monica says
Would this work for a now 3 year old? I totally haven’t done well potty training my little girl! She just turned 3- bought her a potty chair and all she actually went a couple of times the first two days and now just refuses to go! so I think this might help- and get it over with because I am so ready to be done with this! haha
Jamie Wesson says
I have been potty training my daughter since about 20 months. She is now 22 months. I potty her every hour and she almost always goes, but continues to have accidents. She doesn’t tell us she needs to go but is fully capable. She just seems to have no ability or desire to hold it. Suggestions?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Honestly- girls have many more accidents than boys (I wrote a post called “Why girls are harder to potty train than boys”) I would just keep reinforcing that we do not wet our underwear.
janice says
My 20 mth old daughter is potty trained but only if she is naked she will go to the potty i have to ask once in a while but how do I teach her to not pee in her panties when I put them on she feels like she has a diaper so it’s okay help
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Our son did this, too. I would just extend the naked time, doing it more at home, etc..
Crystal says
I just can’t get over this be home for three days thing. That would be AWESOME! It isn’t practical for me though. I have 7 kids and I think I am the worst potty trainer on the planet, which i like to write a lot of funny posts about. I have two with encopresis at ages 4 and 9 and a 22-month-old I am not every considering attempting to train anytime soon! I have 4 others who are competent toileters, but that didn’t come all that easily either.
Barb says
Hi Becky, I have a bunch of blog friends who are still going through this, so I have passed along the link
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Thanks!
Roma mandhyani says
Hi my child is 3yrs old and she is never ready to sit in the baby pot pls advise how I can do so
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I would offer her books & toys, but only while she sits there.
Felicia says
I’m 21 and my boyfriends daughter is 3, sometimes she will go fine and other times she will pee herself. (Either at home or in public) sometimes she gets “clever” and will change thinking we won’t notice. My problem is that she spends part of her time with her mother and grandmother (niether one of them are willing or trying to enforce or help potty train her. (They let her pee on herself, don’t take her to the bathroom/or make her go, and they leave her wet until her dad or myself picks her up and takes care of it. Niether one of us know what to do since no one else she spends her time with (like when we’re at work) is willing to enforce anything.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Oh that’s really hard. Consistency is the key to potty training.
kaylie williams says
Hey Becky, I just want to say that I love your book. I have just a few question. First, my son is 3 and he has no motivation in any way to use the big boy potty. My daughter is 22 months and she shows a little interest in it but not much. On our first day of the three day she did great and he did pretty well.
Its now our second day and they both could careless about the potty.
Am i doing something wrong, or do you think they will take a little more time than three days?
Should I plan another three day span and try again?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Thank you! That is VERY normal. Day 2 is ALWAYS the worst day. 🙂
For your older son, if he is three, he should be able to understand that it is kind of a “now you are a big boy and this is what we do. You used to have a bottle and now you don’t. You used to sleep in a crib and now you don’t. You used to be carried and now you walk. You used to use diapers and now it is time to use the potty” etc… 🙂
Eden says
Our 2.5 year old boy is almost fully trained during the day. First started at 2, I gave him a treat while he was sitting on the potty just so he would learn to sit. Now he goes all by himself but needs a big cheer and high fives for when he goes. He also has to show everyone in the room his pee and poo poo before flushing. That is a habit we are trying to break! The odd time we give him a treat but for the most part he likes the recognition and attention of going more than the treats. He loves being centre of attention so it worked in our favour. I also believe kids need to be ready on their own before they will give it a real shot. I’m hoping my 1.5 year old will want to be like his big brother and learn soon… these diapers are breaking the bank!
Catherine Anderson says
This is amazing! I wish I could find this earlier. IMO, this is one of the most insightful series I found so far about potty training online.
Thanks a lot for your tips.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Thanks!
Landrie says
Hi There, thank you for your time, effort and tips shared!
I am a working mom, my son turned 2 in November, he is 30 months now.
He is completely potty trained at school. He started using the potty at home, and one day he just refused.
He now runs away when I mention the potty or toilet or anything related…yet at school he even sings a song on the toilet!
He would come in and see us using the toilet and say what we are doing, but he refuses.
I am so confused!
Any tips?
Paula ortega says
I am a mother of 4 as well they were all potty trained by 2 and pretty easy as well. They are 26 24.2118 now. I take care of my grandaughter who will be 3 in Aug. Ishe sgould have been potty trained by now. I agree with all your ideas. But the problem is my granddaughters momma isnt on the same page as me. Btw they live with me.any advise on how not to fight with my daughter on potty training my .daughter.thank you
Shelby says
My son just turned 2 on July 3rd. I have been working with him for over a month now, and he is starting to regress pretty badly in my opinion. I’m running out of ideas and really hoping that this method will help him. I know he’s ready because he has gone so many times on the ‘big seat’, but it’s like he’s gotten bored. If you have any other tips, will you please email me at shelbyjean1224@yahoo.com
Thank you so much.
Samantha says
Question for you: Got your book and did day one today with my 20 month old daughter. A couple pee accidents in the morning and she went pee on the potty twice (like legit big pees!). She also did some poop on the potty and at one point said “potty” and ran over and pooped on it. In the afternoon, she would poop, but didn’t pee on the potty anymore even though she was drinking a lot. Had a couple really minor accidents, but no great pees like the morning. She also whines/screams almost every time the timer goes off and it’s time to try again. Any tips for getting them to like the potty chair? I didn’t realize this would be an issue…
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
That’s amazing that she is doing it!! I would try making it fun (use a tablet or give her a special toy or treat while on the potty).
Ashley Rodriguez says
hi im a first time mom im 21 and my daughter going to be 2 and i try to potty train her but she gets off and runs away . have you potty trained a girl before? can you email me please (Rodriguezashley0615@icloud.com)
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Yes. 🙂 We potty trained our daughter the same way. 🙂
leanne maclean says
HI
My little one is 2.5 years old. he was potty trained 2 weeks before his 2nd birthday with was at the send of April. The summer months came and we had loads of family up which is a lot of kids, and as he was playing with them he wasn’t going to the toilet, he got very lazy in doing the toilet in his potty or the big toilet, it was like it was too much hassle. i was them getting stressed out with it, but i got past that. I spoke to a few people who said leave him for a wee while and then start again, i have been trying for a while now, but he doesn’t seem to tell me when he needs the toilet, and he seems to hold on till last minute. When i have him running round the house with no clothes on he goes to the potty/toilet perfect and even sometimes when he has his pyjama trousers on.
I’m just wondering if there are any other tips which could help me.
thanks
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Do you have the book? I would read the entire chapter on regression – I think that is what is happening.
Patience Fleck says
My 19 month old boy is newly potty trained. We have been home for several days this week and he is doing well. We would normally attend MOPS this coming week and he would go to nursery for 2 hours. I am worried that he will have an accident there, should I bring him to the potty every 30 minutes during the meeting or put him in a diaper? He normally poops during this time, and I know the workers will not have time to take him to the potty nor will they like cleaning up an accident… :/ Plus any tips on traveling by car? We will be traveling some during Christmas. Thank you!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Read the “on the go” chapter. The car can be really hard, for sure. We would be lost without our travel potty!
Gaby Picquet says
I’m potty training my 19 months old baby she is doing great, poops and pees in the bathroom she wakes up dry from her naps , but when she is awake I have to take her to the potty every 30-40 min how do I make her hold longer?? or is it just time?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Just time… after they are trained, it gets better. 🙂
Cammi says
What do you do when you are living with your in-laws and they are disgusted at the idea that your toddler might pee on the floor?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Wow- I don’t know!! (I guess ask your mother-in-law what she did when your husband peed on the floor. lol) 😉
Amy Spear says
My daughter is just over 18 months and this past week has been going on the potty. Every time I go I bring her with me and set her on here potty and she pees. Is it not to early to try and train her? I was just going to keep doing what I was doing until she got it, but ready some of the comments I wonder if I can do the weekend training. She really doesn’t “tell” me when she has to go, so that was the only thing I was worried about.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
My neighbor trained her daughter at 18 months and it worked out great 🙂
Emily says
Potty training my 18 month old and he is doing well but I can’t find any underwear that fit him. Can you tell me where/brand to get? Thanks!
Elizabeth J. Johnson says
I agree with all your ideas. Well, since I’ve been a mom of 2 little girls, I had to realize and accept that the sight of a kid taking a shit the wrong way will be a regular image in your life 🙂
Andrea P says
Hi! My twins will turn 6 in a month. My son potty trained in 2 days and 6 months after he wasn’t wearing night diapers either. However with my girl, it took 7 months after my son to potty train. But at night she’s still wearing diapers! She has woken up dry only 1 time in her life! She sleeps very profoundly! I have tried waking her up a couple of times throughout the night but she still wets herself and I was not getting sleep myself! I tried giving her a placebo so she thought it was something to help her wake up but it didn’t work. She was all happy about it, but she would still wet her bed. My sister would still wet herself at 16 and my brother too! Not every night but they would still get wet every so often. So this has happened in our family! What can I do to help her get out of night diapers? I read often about potty training but now how to help kids stop wetting themselves at nighttime when they don’t stop as they get older?
Jennifer says
Hi Becky, I’ve potty trained by boys using the 3 day method and I feel that if you want to make it easy you need to have everything prepared in advance, to the smallest details. It didn’t work the first time for us, but the second time we saw progress from day 1. I just want to say that it means a lot to have someone who can help with the training. I had my mom come over and I had my husband help me out.
Nikki says
I couldn’t agree more! Potty training in 3 days definitely worked for my two oldest and I know it will as soon as my youngest daughter is ready! I believe the key to being successful with it is simply staying home and following through and not putting a pullup or diaper on them anymore! Once they realize you aren’t going to put a diaper on them, they will adapt to going in the potty. Be consistent and push through for sure is how I did it with mine!
Agnes says
Any recommendations for potty training twin girls 26 months old. One seems ready while the other thinks it’s just a game. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.
Annie N. says
My daughter is 3 1/2 year old. We had a little success when she was 22 months and then something happened, and she was terrified of the toilet. Now she refuses to wear underwear, sit on the toilet or potty chair and will sit in a wet or poopy diaper for hours if she is so determined that day! She is so stubborn and is wearing me down. I don’t know where to go from here. I’ve had friends tell me to just leave her diaper off but she just cries and cries. She wakes up from bed time dry, is predictable when peeing or pooping. Recently she has started potty training her doll, but refuses to try herself. We’ve tried withholding treats or tv time until she sits on the toilet but she just occupies herself with other things!! I’m completely stuck and will take any advice! Last time I left her diaper off after bath time, she cried for 30 minutes then when I finally caved and put her diaper on she looked me in the eyes and said: I’m sorry I’m not a big girl mom, made me so sad!!!
Joanna says
I need help! I read the potty training book and my 2 1/2 year old was trained by the middle of the second day, adding panties on day three took a little while but she got that too. But she doesn’t usually wait for me to take her, she takes herself. My only problem is that often she is taking herself every 5-15 minutes! Sometimes she pees, often she doesn’t. But sometimes she is peeing every 5 minutes! I don’t know if she just can’t hold it very long, or if she is too excited to use the potty that she keeps trying frequently in hopes of getting to dump it again! And she got worse, not better, as time when on about how frequently she would try. I know her bladder can hold more, because sometimes she pees a lot more the the little dibble the 5 minute runs produce. And sometimes, if she hasn’t had a drink in a long while, she will wait maybe an hour or so. But she’s not drinking much extra when she’s going often, just as much as she should.
I went against the advice to not put her back in diapers after the three days because we had to go out a lot, and even when we were at home, I couldn’t be taking her every 5 minutes, because she still needs help getting her panties up and down. Had I known she was going to want to go so often, I would have waited till our busy days were past to start. Now life is back to normal, so we could give it a go again. Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions? Or just keep trying for longer and eventually the fun of using the potty will wear off and she’ll wait longer? She did tell me several times the other day (while in diapers) that she needed to pee, and I asked if she REALLY needed to pee. Twice she said no, and went on to play. The other time she said yes, and tried a while, but no results. Thanks for any help!
Elizabeth says
Does this method address tips for potty training twins? Have there been successes with potty training twins this way? Mine are very similar as far as development and interest in going potty. Thank you!
Sarah says
Every child is different! To suggest that ONE way will work with every child is completely asinine. I was a teacher before I became a full-time mom, and children learn in so many different ways. I’m not denying that this may work for SOME kids but definitely not ALL. Whether you are a teacher or a mom, you have to be creative and very flexible when dealing with kiddos. The strategy that you thought might be your “ace in the hole” may not work out as planned.
Simone Jooste says
I got your book from Aduibe and potty trained my 20 month in a weekend. I had great success but we have been traveling a lot and for flights and long car rides I would put her panties on and then a diaper over. She will sometimes have a wet diaper after a nap but other times not so to be safe incase she falls asleep that has been my method. She has regressed a little bit and will do the following:
1. Have to go but not go when I put her on the potty.
2. Tell me she needs to potty to get her out of the car seat or airplane chair.
3. Just have an accident and pee in her panties. 95% of the time she tells me she needs to go and then other times she won’t tell me and will just go in her panties.
Any tips and advise would be great!
Parenting Passage says
Great post, Becky and thanks for sharing the coloring book :-).
Angela says
Did your kids ever run into a phase of being scared to poop yet they are not constipated? My 26 month old is completely potty trained but 2 weeks after he decided to be scared to poop. I offer the pull up but he doesn’t want it. He continues to poop once a day but once he feels it coming he holds it for almost 2 hours and runs back and forth to the potty and whines the whole 2 hours.
If they went through this what were your tricks to help?
Erica says
Do you think this will work with a 3 year old child on the Autism Spectrum? We’ve been trying for a while and haven’t found success.
Jennifer Nunez says
Hi, My daughter is 14 month old on the 27th of this month. Do you think its too soon to start ? I’m really interested in this method and starting as soon as I can. I want to purchase the book but I would like to as what option is better, if an audio book or a hard cover.
Thanks!
Marina dagher says
Hi There,
I bought your ebook but never received it.
Please let me know what happened. Thank you
claire says
Hello,
my daughter is 19 months. She has been bare bottom whenever possible and very often since I’m a stay at home mom. When bare bottom she hardly has accidents and tells me when she has to go. However, I just introduced underwear and she keeps peeing in them. It’s been 2 long days and she keeps doing this. I try to put her on the potty ever 15 to 20 minutes. She’ll sit for like 5 seconds and then get up and pee a minute later. She doesn’t like to sit too long… Should I put her back bare bottom again for awhile and try later with underwear? She had been going to a day care only a 3 mornings a week and she wears a diaper when she is there, I think that is why she pees in her underwear, it must feels like a diaper and it’s confusing her. I just called to cancel her going to day care tomorrow morning, and I think I should do this for awhile, what do you think?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I do think that might be confusing. I think I’d do bare bottom at home & then training underwear when you’re out. (you can find them on amazon)
Ashlynn denley says
I am a single mom with a 22 month little boy and a little boy on the way, so he loves going to the bathroom and loves his potty chair except he think his potty chair is a toy so I got a little seat that goes inside the toilet lid and he is scared to death of it. He will flush the toilet himself and has to go in the bathroom anytime anyone is in there. I really want him potty trained before the new baby. Any suggestions
Whitney says
My son is 2.5 and needs to be potty-trained before beginning 3 year preschool in July 2018. I was thinking about buying your book to get us started, but I when I saw the list of “readiness signs,” my son doesn’t have any of them. He might be able to keep a dry diaper for an hour, but that’s the only sign he meets on the list. Do you think I should wait? We have a little potty now, but he won’t sit on it. He has peed on a little potty at his grandparents’ house, but not at home. He’s a very anxious kid and OCD. He has a hard time with new things. What do you recommend?
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I would try the method, but take it with a grain of salt. Try it slowly and see how he does. I never pressure any kids to potty train if they aren’t ready… so if it doesn’t look like it’s going to work, I wait. (It wouldn’t be worth the stress for the child – it should be a positive experience & one that lets the child walk away proud). 🙂
Dave says
I am heartened reading the comments here. There are people out there who’ve had the same experiences as we have. I have always scoffed at the “potty train your child in a weekend/3 days/24hrs etc etc” . It’s been nine months now with our eldest daughter (she’ll be 3 next month) and we are on attempt number 3 at potty training. Fortunately this time round I think it’s working a lot better. She always does well and never has accidents when she’s bare bummed at home. At nursery school this week she\s had two days of no accidents while wearing clothes. We still need to get her to poo on the potty when she’s wearing underwear but we’re getting there.
The key I think is no stress on either side, not asking her too often if she needs to use the potty and her being that bit older also helps. We tried for an extended period this summer and she got to the point where she would be having tantrums and going stiff as a board when we tried to encourage her if she needed to go to the potty (this was when she was doing her “wee dance”). Third time lucky it seems.
Look out for my sure-to-be best seller “How to potty train your daughter in nine months” !
Sammantha says
Hello,
I have read your book and so far, my son is doing well with the method. I was wondering though, how long should be he on the potty before we stop to wait another 20 minutes and try again? Thank you for the help so far!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I just let them stay on it until they want to get off – 20 seconds or 10 minutes, whatever they pick. 🙂
mangahere says
I don’t understand why mothers wait so long and have such a hard time with potty training.
Rohini Karnad says
Is your child having problems passing her stool? Do you think she is deliberately withholding her bowel movement? There may be many reasons for this behaviour.
https://www.parentcircle.com/article/reasons-children-withhold-bowel-movements/
KeithWes says
1
Tony Robles says
Potty training by daughter in 3 days sounds pretty great. Does the kind of potty chair matter? or contribute to the ability of getting my daughter to use the Baby Potty?
confused mama says
I have read your book and I’m wondering- When we’re going to the potty is it a “sit until something happens” kinda thing or “sit for a few minutes and try again at the next interval” kinda thing? I tried the latter and she seems to get UP when she needs to pee!
Morgan says
My daughter started showing signs around 18 months and I attempted potty training her for a week but she wouldn’t have it! I used your book with my son and he was trained at 18 months easily. She has now gotten to the point of telling me before she poops or pees and then asks me to remove her diaper. She is currently 20 months old. Anytime I try to put her on the potty she runs, growls no and screams. However, she will sit on it if it’s her idea. Any tips or suggestions on how to train her? She is ready as far as her knowledge but she’s fighting me anytime I try. Thanks for all of your help?
Kay says
What to do if 18mo isn’t voicing when she needs to potty? If we are in the bathroom, she will sit herself and potty. If we are outside the bathroom, she isn’t able to tell me before she needs to go. She she will start peeing as she walking towards the bathroom. I have spent a couple of days in the bathroom all day and he the most success but I’m not sure how to manage her inability to voice she needs to go before she starts going. Please help.
Becky Mansfield says
In the early months, you’ll just have to take them every two hours, but once they are able to hold it a bit, I relied on the sign language sign for potty or bathroom. Hopefully that will help you, as well. 🙂