Potty Training in one Day

I've been asked to go over the method I developed for my own children. I researched the problem, read many books and put together the "simplest" method. There are other one day systems out there, but if you are as busy as I was - you might consider my method. If you are going to potty train your child in one day - you will need the cassette and accompanying brochure. It will help fill in the blanks I leave here. I was interviewed by ABC's "Good Morning Cleveland" about this method. I've successfully personally potty trained around 15 children and overseen this method with 30 other families. It works!

If you want the cassette and brochure, please send $10 to

Debbie Jansen
8710 Blitzen Rd. NW
North Canton, Ohio 44720

Let's get started...

Many dread potty training and put it off because they believe it's a time of great stress. If it's not done right children may lose their self-esteem and become angry, irritable, withdrawn and sad.

It doesn't have to be that way. This should be a time of fun, happiness, and pleasant interaction with your child. Do it right and it can give you and your child a wonderful feeling of achievement.

Children are unique and learning to potty should not be based on age. You child must be able to accomplish certain tasks in order to respond properly to potty training. Preparing for the day is actually a matter of watching your child for specific developmental signs and providing special training when they need it.

For the first time in your child's small life you are asking him to plan ahead and to understand how his body works. Probably without realizing it, you have already taught him that good behavior brings rewards. Your child should want to do things on his own and he should be able to follow through and complete simple tasks. As a good parent your child respects and trusts you as him teacher. These traits mark the beginning of many new changes in your child's life.

This may sound like a lot to expect, but it's quite normal for a growing, inquisitive child. Children between birth and three years of age have more physical and mental development than any other time of their lives.

Before you begin, here's what to look for:

1. Your child must be able to walk without assistance and know how to remove his clothing.

2. He must be able to follow instruction and to point to part of his own body. He should know how to respond to sit down, stand up, walk to another room or place, bring you a toy, put a toy or some object away or in a bucket. He should be able to imitate tasks. He should know the meaning of potty chair, diaper, pants, wet and dry. If he cannot complete these tasks, they are not ready to potty train. Don't rush this process. It will become irritating and a failure if you do. Wait until your child is ready.

3. It's also important that your child be able to understand a wait for a drink, food or a specific request.

4. Your child should have some control or knowledge of his bodily functions. Does your child wet a lot at one time or does he dribble throughout the day? Does he let you know when he has to go and does he stay dry for long periods of time.

5. Putting the potty-chair in the bathroom prior to the training day is not necessary. You should however, promote the idea that only "big" people use the potty. Build on the idea by stressing the wonderful privileges that come with being a "big" boy or girl.

6. It is important that you "do not use" retail pull-up diapers. Children need to be able to feel and understand the sensation of wet panties. Pull-ups look and feel too much like a diaper. There is no real distinction or "graduation" when using this product. Pull up diapers are designed to keep the wetness away from the child. Part of the desire to learn is the dread of being wet and having to change clothes. Using pull-up diapers will prolong success.

When you spend an entire day with your child, watching their every move, the likelihood that they will soil your furniture is very slim. As far as nighttime is concerned, I suggest putting a pad under your child and letting him sleep in panties. If you still prefer the pull ups at night, it is possible to make a big deal out of finding them dry in the morning and not interfere with his training. It's wise, however to offer a special cereal or treat if his pull-ups are dry in the morning.


Here's the secret. Potty training occurs when the child understands and "feels" his bodily functions. He can't plan ahead if he's not paying attention to when it happens. Your job is to get him to go often enough so you can catch him and train him. When he has pull ups on, he can be wet for minutes even hours before you know it's time to train. This method gives you many chances in one day to train therefore getting the job done quickly.

The reason one day potty training works is because you are going to plan the day so there are plenty of chances to see him as he goes.

Take the day off. Take any other children to grandma's or daycare. Put a potty chair, toys and books in the kitchen. Place all kinds of drinks on the counter. The more the better. Especially soft drinks. Gatorade, koolaide, any kind of juice, water, milk -anything wet. The idea is to give your child the opportunity to drink, drink, drink - why? Because that will give you the most chances to see him go potty.

Place all kinds of snacks on the counter. Try to use anything salty. Why? That will make him thirsty and cause him to drink thus he will need to go potty and you will have more chances to help him achieve success.

**** REMEMBER ***** You will have much more information if you order the cassette and booklet.

Never punish or spank your child during this procedure. This procedure is built largely on a psychological method called, "Behavior Modification." The basic idea is to find something the child enjoys enough to motivate him. For small children the most successful motivator is usually eating, playing or praise from parents. Using those motivational rewards, we can require compliance. Only if the desired behavior is shown will the reward be given.

The only negative responses should be to allow your child to take off his own wet clothes. As he does you respond, "Oh yuck, how nasty. Ooooo, put them in the basket quick. How yucky!"

Then say, "I want you to be a big boy so let's try again, O.K.?"

You will need one more item.....You will need a doll that wets if at all possible. If you can't find one or if your child prefers to use his favorite doll, you can simulate a doll wetting by using a spray bottle clipped under the rim of the potty,k or one that can be hidden in your hand. When the child sits the doll down to potty, squeeze the bottle and allow a stream of water into the potty.

Be sure to have everything handy so you don't have to leave your child's sight for even a moment. Place toys, books, treats, drink and snacks close so it doesn't take you very long to retrieve them.

Make sure and schedule time-out periods during the day to just play with your child. Do whatever your child enjoys, like tickling matches, singing, games or even taking a walk. All of these will be nice diversions.

Here's your plan.....

1. Show your child how to train his doll or action figure. Go through all the steps of pulling down the dolls pants, getting them to go potty and reward the doll with a treat (small M&M's). When the doll can't eat it - give it to your child. Once you go through this procedure 10 times and you are sure he gets the message....Get excited about "Now it's your turn."

2. Help your child through the process - praising every attempt or even the smallest effort. (No treat though unless he actually drops at least one drop in the potty.)

3. Eliminate the doll and concentrate on your child.

4. Don't worry about nutrition. Your child won't be ruined by one day of improper eating.



The most important thing to do is to talk, talk, and talk. Explain every action, make up silly songs, be cheerful and talk, talk, talk. Always allow your child the chance to respond and talk, but if he isn't talking, you should be.

While you are waiting for his body to respond, read books, play with toys etc... but watch the clock. At least every 5 minutes ask.."Are you still dry?" This will keep his mind focused on what he is to do. If he is, give him lots of praise and possibly a small part of the special treat.

Your main purpose for the day is to have fun and to be a constant reminder for his concentrations. By the afternoon your child should have the "idea" of what to do. Then it's only a matter of reinforcing his actions. For the next several days you should keep up the treat reward for successfully going to the potty. Begin lengthening the time between reminders and replacing treats more and more with praise.

Don't add the stress of new environments (grocery, restaurant, grandma's) for a few days. Give him time to be sure his new achievement is fully in force.

IMPORTANT: The most valuable treat to any child is the approval and love of his parents. Be generous with praise. Your child's happiness and their new self-esteem will be delightful. They have started on the road to being a responsible and disciplined individual. Spending a day together and working together for a new achievement will open the door to a beautiful new relationship between the two of you that can last a lifetime.

There's much more information and details on my tape and brochure. If you are interested in this method, please let me know.

God loves you,

Debbie