“Oh Crap Potty Training Method Explained: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents”

 If You Have a Kid in Diapers, This Is for You...

If you're a parent staring at that jumbo diaper, pack in your hallway and wondering, "When will we be done with this?", you're not alone. Potty training is one of those parenting milestones that everyone dreads, and yet, it has to be done. Whether you're raising a headstrong toddler who refuses to sit on the potty, a laid-back child who couldn’t care less about being wet, or a special needs child who thrives on structure, the Oh Crap Potty Training Method has something for you.

Created by Jamie Glowacki, this method isn't a one-size-fits-all miracle. It's practical, honest, and filled with realistic guidance for modern parents who are tired, busy, and just trying their best.

 In this post, we’ll break it all down, so you know exactly what to expect and how to stay positive through the process. We'll also address the emotional side of potty training that most guides skip, the parent’s anxiety, guilt, and the constant fear of doing it “wrong.”

What Is the Oh Crap Potty Training Method?.

The Oh Crap Potty Training Method comes from Jamie Glowacki’s popular book: "Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right." It's a clear, no-frills method that emphasizes:

• Starting early (ideally between 20 and 30 months)

• Eliminating diapers completely

• Recognizing your child’s physical and emotional cues

• Building independence without rewards or pressure

Unlike many modern methods that draw potty training out over months or even years, the Oh Crap approach is straightforward and child-led, but parent-guided. Glowacki divides the process into 6 blocks instead of focusing on a timeline. That means progress is based on your child's readiness, not a fixed schedule. It’s like developmental blocks, not calendar days.

Why Diapering Parents Need to Hear This.

Many parents wait until their child is "ready," but the truth is, diaper companies have pushed that age later and later. Glowacki challenges the myth that kids need to be “emotionally” or “developmentally” ready before potty training, because in many cases, they already are, we’re just used to waiting too long.

If your toddler can:

• Sit independently

• Follow basic instructions

• Show signs of discomfort in a dirty diaper

• Imitate adult behaviors (like flushing or undressing)

...then they're more ready than you think.

Parents of children in diapers often fall into three categories:

1. The "I'll Wait Until They're Ready" Parent.

You believe in letting your child take the lead, which is respectful but can sometimes delay the process longer than necessary. The Oh Crap method offers a gentle push with structure that doesn’t feel like forcing.

2. The "Tried Everything" Parent.

You’ve used sticker charts, treats, singing potty songs, YouTube videos, and even apps. Still no success? This method cuts the fluff and gets to the core of what your child actually needs: consistency, presence, and calm leadership.

3. The Special Needs or Sensory-Sensitive Parent.

Your child may be on the spectrum, have sensory processing differences, or require predictability. This method provides clear steps and room for flexibility, making it adaptable to many neurodiverse parenting scenarios. Glowacki also speaks to parents of kids with speech delays and anxiety, which makes her guidance even more inclusive.

• Breaking Down the 6 Steps (In Real-Life Terms).

Let’s walk through each block of the Oh Crap Potty Training Method with practical tips and examples for diapering parents.

• What Worked for Us in Step 1:   (Naked & Noticing)

Take off the diapers and let your child go without anything below the waist. This helps them see and feel what happens when they pee or poop. It also creates immediate body-to-function awareness.

• Mom tested trick: Use an easy-to-clean area (tile or laminate floors work best).

• Stay close and observe without hovering.

• Narrate gently: “Oh, you’re peeing. That’s what it feels like.”

The insights: This block isn’t about accidents, it’s about learning. Your toddler isn’t failing; they’re connecting the dots.

• Helpful Cues for Step 2: Add Clothing (Still No Underwear).

Now that your toddler has a sense of what it feels like to go, you add in a new layer of challenge: clothing. Not underwear, just pants. This helps them learn to pause and remove clothing when the urge hits.

• Gentle Reminder: Keep up the potty reminders but back off from doing it every 5 minutes.

• Watch for signs like hopping, hiding, or crossing legs.

• Look for subtle signs they might need to go, wiggling, squatting, pausing mid-play.

•  Many kids regress at this stage. Stay calm. Keep modeling the routine.

•  What brought us progress for Step 3: (Short Outings)

Introduce brief outings without a diaper. Bring a portable potty or know where bathrooms are.

• Helpful tips: Start small, quick walk around the block, trip to a friend’s house.

• Bring a change of clothes and a waterproof mat for the car seat.

•  Public accidents can feel embarrassing, but they’re part of it. Keep a lighthearted attitude. Your child reads your emotional cues.

• Step 4 :A small step that moved us further (Asking and Initiating).

Your child starts to recognize the urge and tell you when they need to go. This is the first sign of internal control.

• How to get through it: Respond promptly when they ask.

• Keep it low-pressure, don’t over-celebrate, just affirm.

• Over-celebrating can backfire. Kids might hold pee for praise, not because they’re truly ready.

• This really helped us, for step 5: (Nighttime Awareness).

Glowacki believes night training can come sooner than most people think. This stage focuses on reducing overnight accidents.

Nighttime dryness often feels like the most intimidating part, but with consistency, it can come naturally. This stage is less about “training” and more about readiness and support.

• How to made progress: No water after dinner.

• Pee before bed and first thing in the morning.

• Use mattress protectors and wake them gently if needed.

•  Night training doesn’t always come naturally. Some kids take weeks; others take months. Don’t stress.

Step 6: Consistency Everywhere

This final stage is all about independence and reinforcing the routine no matter where you are, daycare, grandma’s house, the supermarket.

• How to make it less stressful: Communicate with caregivers.

• Avoid diapers “just in case” when out, use training pants or nothing at all.

• Travel with a foldable potty or seat cover. Familiarity matters.

• Offer reminders in a calm, low-pressure way.

 "How It Went for Me" From a mom...

As a mom of two, I’ve done the potty training dance more than once. With my first child, I waited until she turned 3. It was a disaster, she was strong-willed, and the pressure just made things worse.

With my second, I tried the Oh Crap method at 26 months. We stayed home for 3 days, and yes, there was pee on the floor. But by day 4, she was telling me when she needed to go. The difference? I wasn’t afraid to lead. I stayed calm, ditched the diapers, and trusted the process.

There were moments I doubted myself. I questioned whether I was pushing too hard. But Glowacki’s method reassured me that I was guiding, not controlling. That was the shift I needed.

What to Expect (That No One Tells You)

• Accidents will happen (even after weeks of success).

• Some kids cry the first time they poop in a potty, it’s a new sensation.

• You might get resistance after initial success (this is normal)

• Regression during illness or travel is common.

• You’ll second guess yourself, keep going.

Mindset Shifts for a Positive Experience.

1. Ditch the Pressure Not every kid will master it in 3 days. That’s okay.

2. Lead with Confidence Your child needs you to guide them, not ask them every 10 minutes.

3. Accidents Aren’t Failures They’re part of the learning curve. Clean it up. Move on.

4. Be Consistent Going back to diapers after starting sends mixed signals.

5. Laugh When You Can Potty training can be funny, messy, and chaotic. That’s parenting.

Some FAQs for Diapering Parents.

• When should I start? If your child is around 20–30 months and can sit independently, follow directions, and shows any sign of awareness, now is a great time.

• What if my child resists? Pause and try again later, but stay calm. Sometimes resistance is fear of the unknown, not defiance.

• Can I try it part-time? Glowacki recommends going all-in. Part-time or occasional diaper use slows the learning.

• What about poop? Poop can take longer. Encourage your child to poop in a private, comfortable place and celebrate small wins.

• Will it work for boys and girls? Yes. The method applies to both genders and focuses on readiness, not sex-based differences.

In Conclusion: Progress Over Perfection.

You don’t have to get it right on the first try. Potty training isn’t a race. Whether you're using the Oh Crap method with your first child or third, what matters is your attitude. Stay calm, stay consistent, and believe in your child’s ability to learn.

This method works because it respects the child’s development and the parent’s role as a confident guide. Diapers are just a phase, and so is potty training. Trust yourself to lead with love.