Oh Crap! Potty Training with Jamie Glowacki
Potty Training: Starting the Journey with Elliot
When Elliot turned two, I decided it was time to start thinking about potty training. My motivation? Honestly, it wasn’t rooted in any particular milestone or readiness checklist—it was more inspired by family examples. My sister had successfully potty-trained both her boys before they turned three, and my mum reminded me that my siblings and I were all out of nappies fairly early too. Plus, let’s face it: nappies aren’t exactly the most environmentally friendly option, and they’re certainly not cheap! I thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?” (Although I did brace myself for some impromptu sprinting—toddlers and bladder control aren’t exactly a match made in heaven!).
As someone who thrives on evidence-based approaches and structured plans, I started researching potty training methods. After reading countless reviews, I landed on Jamie Glowacki’s Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right. It seemed like the perfect fit for me. I borrowed the book through Libby and breezed through it.
The biggest takeaway from my first read? Timing is everything. Glowacki recommends finding a window where your child can stay home with minimal outings or disruptions—a solid stretch of uninterrupted time to focus on the process. With that in mind, I held off for a couple of months. Elliot had an operation scheduled (more about that in another post), and I was taking time off work to help him recover. It seemed like the ideal opportunity to tackle potty training without added stress or distractions.
what i liked:
Learning blocks, not timetables: One of the things I appreciated most about Jamie Glowacki’s approach is that it’s centred around learning blocks rather than rigid timelines. This takes a lot of pressure off parents. There are plenty of resources out there claiming you can potty train your child in just three days—and if you can’t, it sometimes feels like you’re doing something wrong or your child isn’t ready. Glowacki’s method, on the other hand, acknowledges that every child is different. It encourages parents to observe and understand their child’s patterns rather than forcing them into a one-size-fits-all plan.
A clear game plan: The book lays out a straightforward roadmap, explaining when to move from one stage to the next and what to expect at each stage. I found this incredibly helpful, especially as it gave me confidence that we were on the right track. Glowacki also includes practical tips, like how to encourage your child and sneak in extra fluids to keep the process moving along—literal and figurative!
It worked for us: By the end of the week, Elliot was potty trained (commando-style, without underwear, as recommended in Block 2 of the book). Both of us felt an enormous sense of pride in what he had accomplished. The timing also aligned beautifully with his return to preschool, where his form tutor was ready to support potty training if I hadn’t already started. Having that consistency between home and school was such a bonus.
What I Didn’t Like:
Tone of the book: I’m not alone in feeling this way—if you browse reviews on Goodreads or Amazon, you’ll see similar sentiments. While the method itself is brilliant and helped me successfully potty train Elliot, the tone can be a bit in-your-face. One standout example is Glowacki’s insistence that potty training after 30 months will be a "hellish experience." For some parents, this kind of messaging can feel discouraging or even anxiety-inducing. While I appreciate that Glowacki likely bases this on trends she’s observed, a gentler tone might resonate better with a wider audience.
Editing issues: The book contains quite a bit of repetition, which I found unnecessary. A more concise and well-structured version would make the information easier to digest. I personally would have preferred a more organised layout to help navigate the material more efficiently.
Lack of troubleshooting/FAQs: The book would benefit immensely from a dedicated section on troubleshooting or frequently asked questions. I often found myself flipping back and forth or relying on the search function to find answers to specific challenges. At times, I couldn’t find what I was looking for and had to search online for advice. For instance, Elliot thought it was hilarious to pee every five minutes by day three of training—a behaviour that eventually resolved once he returned to school but wasn’t directly addressed in the book.
Absence of scientific evidence: This might be asking for too much, but as someone who loved Emily Oster’s Expecting Better, I think incorporating insights from child psychologists or paediatricians could add credibility to Glowacki’s arguments. While the anecdotal style makes the book relatable, it does leave readers questioning the reliability of the information at times. Evidence-based backing would strengthen the method’s appeal to parents who value data-driven advice.
Potty Training: we’re not done yet
When potty training Elliot, I decided to focus solely on daytime training while keeping a nappy on for naps and nighttime. This choice was mostly about convenience—I couldn’t face the idea of repeatedly changing bedsheets in the middle of the night! From both personal experience (with my sister’s sons) and Jamie Glowacki’s book, I understand that children will naturally start consolidating their wee and learning to hold it while asleep as they grow older.
I’ll need to revisit the nighttime section of Glowacki’s book if Elliot is still waking up with a full nappy as he nears three. However, I’m already feeling optimistic. His nap nappies have been mostly dry recently, and two months after potty training, he’s even started asking to nap in underwear. While it seems he’s ready, I’m not quite there yet! For now, we’re taking it one step at a time, knowing that every child’s journey unfolds at its own pace.
Would I Recommend Reading Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki?
Yes, I would—but with a few caveats. If you’re someone who appreciates a clear, practical method for potty training and doesn’t mind a bit of a blunt, no-nonsense tone, this book is definitely worth your time. The step-by-step approach and focus on learning blocks rather than rigid timelines make it adaptable and parent-friendly. It also worked beautifully for Elliot, and I’m genuinely grateful for the confidence it gave me to tackle potty training.
That said, if you’re sensitive to tone or prefer more evidence-based parenting resources, you might find parts of the book frustrating or discouraging. The repetition, lack of troubleshooting, and anecdotal style could also leave some parents wanting more.
Ultimately, like any parenting resource, this book should be seen as a tool rather than a rulebook. Take what works for you and your child, and leave the rest. Every child’s journey is unique, and as parents, our intuition is often our best guide. For me, Oh Crap! was a great starting point—and with a bit of adaptation and patience, we made it work.
