How We Potty Trained Our Son in Just 3 Days (Yes, Really!)

A 5 minute read…

If you’ve ever looked at that tiny potty in the corner of your bathroom and wondered how on earth your toddler is going to use it, you’re not alone. Potty training can feel daunting, messy, and honestly, a bit mysterious. I’m here to share how we managed to potty train our son in just three days. It wasn’t magic, but it did take preparation, patience, and a few Smarties.

Here’s what worked for us, the real, honest, sticker-covered story.

A Note on Readiness

Our son wasn’t exactly ahead of the curve developmentally. He crawled at 13 months, walked at 18, and still had limited speech when we started potty training at 2 years and 9 months. If your child is similar, don’t be discouraged. Potty training is possible, even when you think the odds aren’t in your favour.

Step One: Conditioning (a.k.a. Normalising the Potty)

Long before any “training” began, we started by simply normalising the bathroom. Our son watched us use the toilet (yep, privacy went out the window), we named what we were doing, “pee pee” and “poo poo”, and involved him in the whole process: flushing, waving goodbye to the toilet contents, even putting the seat down.

Then came the potty. A simple £8.50 model from Ikea with a removable insert, practical and easy to clean. We gave it a name, “the potty,” and introduced it as part of daily life. He wasn’t expected to use it yet, just sit on it like a little chair. Over time, he started mimicking us, sitting on it fully clothed and saying “pee.” It was a win, the first step toward building familiarity and comfort.

Step Two: The Three-Day Potty Boot Camp

We cleared our calendars, stayed home, and gave our full attention to this new adventure. With his little sister needing care too, both of us were on board full-time.

We introduced “big boy pants”, fun, colourful ones with his favourite characters. The excitement on his face when he put them on? Priceless. To support the transition, we read My Potty Book: A Potty Book for Little Boys, which told the story of Jack, a little boy learning to use the potty. Jack became our training sidekick. Every time our son sat on the potty, we’d echo Jack’s story: “Pants down, sit down, put your botty on the potty!”

The Reward System: Stickers, Smarties & Celebrations

Rewards were a big part of our strategy, not bribes, but joyful celebrations. We created a sticker chart using fun designs with cars and emoji faces, right at his eye level. Each successful potty moment earned him a sticker, no matter how small. And yes, he got a Smartie too.

To up the excitement, we had a “prize box” with bigger rewards like small toys and treats. Every five stickers meant a trip to the box. His first poo? That definitely earned a prize. Over time, we noticed he stopped asking for rewards, the hugs, cheers, and high-fives became enough.

Watching for the (Not-So-Subtle) Cues

We tried the usual “Tell me if you need to go potty” line, didn’t work. He never once told us voluntarily. Instead, we learned to watch for physical cues: fidgeting, shifting weight, stiffening legs, even hitting his tummy or groin. Recognising these signs helped us anticipate his needs rather than waiting for a verbal cue that might never come.

Accidents Happen, And That’s OK!

Day one was rough, 20 accidents. Day two, fewer than six. By day three, we were down to one or two. Accidents were expected, and we never punished or scolded him. Potty training, like learning to walk or ride a bike, takes practice. Mistakes were met with gentle reminders and encouragement, and maybe a sticker when he tried again.

Our Favourite Tricks (That Made Life So Much Easier)

These little hacks made a huge difference:

One Thing We Regret…

Not thinking of flushable wet wipes. They would’ve been so helpful for poo clean-ups and way easier than toilet paper. Just make sure they’re truly flushable! Our wipes weren’t and it was a hassle to dispose of them seperately to the potty contents.

Final Thoughts

Potty training is different for every child, and what worked for us might not work for you. But if you’re about to start your own potty journey, I hope our story helps. With a bit of prep, a lot of praise, and maybe a few Smarties, your little one can do it too.