The 6 Blocks of “Oh Crap” Potty Training

Jun 30

Potty training can be overwhelming for both parents and children. With so many different methods out there, it can be difficult to know which approach will work best for your child. That’s where the “Oh Crap” potty training method comes in.

Developed by Jamie Glowacki, the “Oh Crap” method focuses on a simple, direct, and effective approach to potty training that emphasizes the importance of both independence and consistency. It’s a method that teaches parents how to guide their children through the process, step by step, while setting them up for long-term success.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the six key blocks of the “Oh Crap” potty training method and how they help ensure your child gains the independence they need to succeed. Let’s unlock the process and make potty training as easy as possible!

Block 1: The Preparation Block: Getting Ready to Start

Before you dive into potty training, you need to make sure your child is ready—and that includes being mentally prepared yourself. The “Oh Crap” method emphasizes the importance of readiness and knowing when your child is truly prepared for this milestone.

Readiness Signs:

They are showing interest in the potty.
They have the physical ability to hold their bladder for a longer period.
They can follow simple instructions.
They are aware when they have gone in their diaper or pull-up.

But it’s not just about the child. Parent readiness is also essential. Make sure you’re emotionally and mentally prepared to commit to the process. The first few days can be intense, but the more you’re prepared, the smoother it will go. 🌱

Block 2: The Naked Block: Creating Awareness Through Freedom

The first step in potty training, according to the “Oh Crap” method, is to go diaper-free. This might sound intimidating, but it's a game-changer for helping your child truly understand when they need to go.

Why “naked” first? When a child is naked, they’re able to feel the sensation of when they have to go to the bathroom. They start to make the connection between the feeling of needing to go and the action of using the potty.

Tips for the Naked Block:

Keep your child naked (or in very loose clothing) for 3-5 days in a safe space. This helps them become aware of their body’s signals.
Watch for the “potty signs” (wiggling, holding themselves) and immediately guide them to the potty.
Stay close by, ready to help. During this phase, they will likely have accidents, but that’s okay— it’s part of learning.

The Naked Block is about helping your child establish a connection between their body’s signals and the action of going potty. Through this block, you will set the foundation for potty training success. 🚽

Block 3: The Potty Block: Introducing the Toilet

Once your child is comfortable being naked and aware of their body’s signals, it’s time to introduce the potty. This is the moment when you’ll start guiding them to the toilet or potty regularly and teaching them to go there instead of wherever they happen to be.

In the “Oh Crap” method, the goal is not only for your child to recognize when they need to go, but to also associate the potty with a positive experience.

Tips for the Potty Block:

Let your child choose a potty that excites them (toilet seat insert, potty chair, etc.).
Be encouraging when they sit on the potty—even if they don’t go.
Maintain a calm, relaxed attitude around the potty. The less pressure, the better.

At this stage, your child is learning to associate the potty with the feeling of needing to go, so it’s important to stay patient and calm. Practice consistency with regular potty trips, even if they don’t need to go every time. 🚽👶

Block 4: The Moving Block: Adding Pants and Going Out

After your child is consistently using the potty without accidents at home, it’s time to add the next layer: introducing pants and going out into the world. This block focuses on getting your child comfortable using the potty while wearing clothes and out of the house.

The goal here is to gradually get your child used to the idea of using the potty outside of the familiar home environment.

Tips for the Moving Block:

Add pants and underwear during potty training to help your child adjust to the feeling of “real clothes.”
Begin practicing potty breaks while on outings, like going to the park, running errands, or going to grandma’s house.
Stay patient. Your child may still have accidents, and that’s okay. The focus is on giving them the confidence to manage the potty process in different environments.

This block is about continuing to build confidence and helping your child navigate using the potty while adding more complexity to their routine. 🌍

Block 5: The Night Block: Mastering Nighttime Potty Training

Nighttime potty training can be one of the more challenging parts of the process because children aren’t usually ready to stay dry at night until they’re older. However, by this point in the “Oh Crap” method, your child should have already mastered daytime potty training.

Nighttime training is introduced only after your child is consistently dry during the day, and you’ll likely still need to use nighttime diapers or pull-ups during this block.

Tips for the Night Block:

Wait until your child is consistently waking up dry in the morning before starting nighttime potty training.
Limit fluids before bed and make sure your child goes to the potty right before sleep.
Use a mattress protector to reduce stress if accidents happen during the night.

In this block, your goal is to help your child transition from pull-ups or diapers to staying dry at night. However, nighttime dryness may take some time, and that’s perfectly normal! 🌙

Block 6: The Final Block: Confidence and Independence

The last block of the “Oh Crap” method focuses on your child becoming fully independent with potty training. By now, they should be confidently using the potty without much prompting. This block is about allowing them to feel in control and celebrating their newfound independence!

Tips for the Final Block:

Praise their effort, not just the outcome. Celebrate their communication and the progress they’ve made.
Allow your child to take the lead when it comes to using the potty. Encourage them to go without constant reminders.
Keep up with the routine and set clear expectations as needed. While they may need occasional reminders, they are well on their way to independence.

This block is about enjoying the success of potty training and recognizing that your child has gained an essential skill. You’ve done the hard work together, and now it’s time to see them confidently navigate the potty process on their own. 🎉

Final Thoughts: Stay Positive, Trust the Process

Potty training is a big deal—and it’s a journey, not a race. The six blocks of the “Oh Crap” potty training method are designed to provide you with a clear, step-by-step approach that helps both you and your child move through the process with confidence and ease.

As you work through each block, remember to stay patient, consistent, and positive. Your child is learning a vital skill, and every step forward is a victory. Trust the process, trust your child, and trust yourself!

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Taylor Walters