Fast and Effective Potty Training for the Older Toddler

This is the potty training method I used to potty train my nephew, "Timmy", who was three and a half years old and still in diapers and pull-ups. With this potty training method, I was able to potty train him over the course of three days.

Timmy's parents had read several potty training books and tried many methods to potty train Timmy with little success. My guess is that none of the potty training methods they tried resonated with their son enough to make him want to use the potty, although I do not know the exact reason that he resisted. I knew my sister-in-law was frustrated about their difficulties with potty training, so on a long weekend they had asked me to come and watch Timmy while they were away, I decided to give potty training him a shot.

The first thing I did upon my arrival was tell Timmy that tomorrow was going to be a VERY exciting day - it was going to be the day he started wearing big boy underpants! We went to his room together and picked out which pair he would wear. I talked about how excited I was that I got to be there for the day he started wearing big boy underpants. He asked questions about my sons (who are older than he) and whether they wore big boy underpants and was very excited to learn he'd be doing something just like his big cousins.

The next morning, Timmy put on his big boy underpants and we went about our day. I gave him lots of praise and hugs whenever he used the potty. At around 11 a.m., Timmy came running into the room to tell me he'd had an accident. He asked if he could put on a pull up instead. I told him that he could not, since he was going to be wearing big boy underpants from now on. I also had him undress himself and helped him clean up and dress in dry clothing, then had him help me put his soiled clothes in the washing machine. I did not make a big deal about his accident or his request to wear pull-ups; I was pleasant and matter-of-fact about it and he responded in kind.

Timmy had one more accident that day, and we went through the same routine. On Day Three, he used the toilet like a big boy all day and his Mom and Dad were shocked and delighted when they got home and find he was potty trained.

I hope this story inspires you to try new and different potty training methods until you find one that is successful for you. Please feel free to share your successful potty training methods in the comments section!