It’s officially been 2 months since we started using the Oh Crap! Potty Training method with Griffin. It started out pretty rough, well, brutal, actually. I’m not sure what I expected, but I read the book twice through beforehand, and I still feared the unknown. Let’s just say the first few days were very exhausting! But honestly, I am so glad we started the process when we did. Today’s post is an update on where we are at today, and the progress we’ve made thus far.
We used the method outline in the Oh Crap! Potty Training book. Many people refer to this as the 3 day method, except it’s not that easy at all, haha. It’s actually broken down into 3 blocks, which is where most of the confusion comes from. The process begins with the first block, of which your child is completely naked. ALL DAY LONG. This happens everyday until they can go to the potty by themselves, or have you bring them to it. During the second block, your child wears clothes with nothing underneath. And the third block, you add underwear along with small outings. We were able to take 2 days off work, so we started on a Friday, and spent the next few days at home (with an exception of some outings) and brought him back to daycare that next Tuesday. We wanted to make sure we were able to really focus on helping Griffin get to the bathroom. I know not everyone has this option, so I think it’s essential to get your childcare provider on the same page!
Potty progress:
It took Griffin one day to get through block 1, but then weeks to get through block 2. The kid just loves going commando I guess-haha! But in all seriousness, give yourself TIME. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see progress after the first day – it will happen! That is, until something else messes with your potty mojo.
Things were going great. Griffin was telling us when he had to go at home, but he wasn’t going at daycare (0r anywhere else for that matter). He would sit on the toilet, but nothing would happen. So, he wore a pull-up there. *Side note: most daycare providers won’t agree to the commando method (imagine that!), so in the book they talk about having them wear a pull-up there, but taking it off immediately when they get home. And that’s what we did. She would still prompt him, and his pull-up would stay dry until he went down for his nap. He had the game figured out, that’s for sure.
Anyway, a few weeks ago we decided he was ready to move onto the underwear. We spent the entire weekend with no accidents, which was so great! We were so proud! Then, we sent him to daycare that Monday in underwear, and he had an accident. Come to find out, he wasn’t feeling good. And not feeling good led to an ear infection and strep throat-ugh! So, needless to say, potty training didn’t go so well during that sick time. He was out for a week, which really regressed the process. After that, he refused to go for us. He would say “potty,” but freaked out when we put him on the toilet.
Where we are now:
Upon much dismay, we decided it seemed necessary to take a break for a bit then come back to it in a few weeks. We figured that pressuring him to go was not going to help. He needed to tell us when he was ready again. And we know he is capable of doing it because he’d done it before! Right? Any mamas out there had issues with this before? HELP! Your feedback in much appreciated 🙂
Helpful Tips:
• Leave your phone in the other room – otherwise it’s too tempting to get on, and you may miss getting them to the potty in time! I gave Lauren a full disclaimer that I would be MIA for a few days until after he went down to bed…and I had my wine in hand!
• During blocks 2 and 3, we put puppy pee pads in his carseat just in case he had an accident in the car. So funny, but so genius!
• Griffin LOVED washing his hands and flushing the toilet during the process. It’s great to get them involved, and make it exciting.
• Treat the whole process as a special occasion! We did whatever it took to make it through the first few days, including letting him watch his favorite shows and eat special snacks and drinks he wouldn’t normally get.
• Buy some potty training books. We read these over and over to him, which was a big hit. Our favorites are: Zoo Poo and Potty.
• Most importantly, don’t hover. And don’t over-ask. If they say that they don’t have to go…trust them.
• Make sure you update your diaper bag with a change of clothes, underwear, plastic bags for wet clothes and post-its to cover the auto-flush sensor in public restrooms.
Interested in more on babies and toddlers? Such as sleep training or the best diaper bag?? Make sure you check out our Littles section of the blog. Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo, Laura