By Jamie Maletta
If you’ve raised a toddler, or are raising a toddler, you’ve likely read up on the do’s and don’ts of potty training. Maybe you’ve read the various books, asked friends for advice, or scoured the internet for all the tips and tricks. From my own personal experience, I think you’re going to find a lot of information— and even more opinions— on the topic.
I, of course, was one of those moms who set out on a journey to find the perfect potty training plan. I asked experienced friends for advice and was told I absolutely needed to check out Jamie Glowacki’s Oh Crap! Potty Training book/program. I was skeptical, but the book had rave reviews, and so I loaded up my Kindle and began reading. From someone who followed this book and managed to potty train in under two weeks based on Jamie’s method, here’s my review:
My first recommendation: read Chapters 1 through 10 one to two weeks before you begin potty training. These chapters set the foundation for what you’re going to need to know in order to potty train your little human. It covers topics such as the readiness of a child, appropriate and ideal ages to potty train, how you might be contributing to potty training resistance, potty training regressions, myths and misconceptions, what to do and what not to do, verbal and (mostly] non-verbal cues, the issues you’re most likely to run into, getting your partner on board with the plan, and mentally preparing yourself to take on this journey with your child. Additionally, within these chapters, it walks through the seven steps and blocks of potty training Jamie has created to master this skill. If there’s something that absolutely should be known and covered prior to taking the leap, it’s in these first ten chapters.
I highly recommend reading the chapters to follow throughout the first three to five days of potty training. Any and all questions not answered in the first ten chapters will most likely be covered here. These are the Q&A type things you may be wondering (and honestly, will want in your back pocket). These chapters cover such topics as prior attempts at potty training (if this isn’t your very first attempt), being “kind of” potty trained vs. fully potty trained, the child who just isn’t getting it, the child that has morphed into a mini monster during the process (and what the heck to do), dealing with daycares and caregivers, the difficulties that may come with potty training children under twenty months or over three years, and the “reset” when things aren’t working or you’ve found yourself deviating from Jamie’s plan for one reason or another.
Lastly, the book covers “Special Circumstances” in Chapter 17, where there may truly be a valid reason for potty training struggles, which is outlined based on various circumstances. Upon finishing these chapters, you should be fully equipped to get started and master this potty training journey!
I took this potty-training business quite seriously, and took Jamie’s advice to heart as I read through each chapter. What I will say, as a disclaimer, is I felt Jamie mom-shames a bit for those of us who’ve waited until after age three to potty train. Whatever your reasoning for waiting may be, I disagree that it’s going to be this big power struggle after age three, as long as you, as the parent, are being consistent in your training. So I ask you to please not take this aspect of her book to heart, because the actual training and program is really very good.
If you give this book a go, and commit to the program, I truly believe any parent and any able-bodied/able-minded child can be successful with their journey to being potty trained. Believe in yourself, believe in your child, and take everyone’s opinions with a grain of salt.