Potty Training a 3-Year-Old: Our Honest Journey

Potty training a 3-year-old has been quite a journey for us.

There were successful days, accidents, setbacks, and moments when I wondered if we were doing the right thing. With PreK3 starting soon, I thought I would share our honest experience.

We Started at 33 Months

We started potty training when our son was around 33 months old. Since PreK3 was coming up, I thought it might be a good time to start.

We had actually bought two toddler potties before he turned two—one for sitting and one for boys to practice standing. They had been sitting in our bathroom for a long time, waiting for the right moment.

I also ordered training underwear from Amazon and started letting him wear it at home.

To my surprise, he did pretty well.

We bought these training underwear from Amazon, and they worked well for us during the potty training process. They were more absorbent than regular underwear, which was helpful during the early stages.

👉 [Check the training underwear we used on Amazon]

We also later purchased Hanes Boys’ Potty Training Underwear.

However, we haven’t been using them yet. For our son, the seam in the middle area seems to irritate his skin, so we decided to wait until he feels more comfortable wearing them.

Every child is different, and what works well for one child may not work for another.

Great at Home, But Not Outside

At home, he was comfortable using the potty. But whenever we went outside, he always asked for a diaper.

One day, I decided to let him wear underwear to the playground.

Well… he simply peed in his underwear. 😂

That was when I realized that using the potty at home and using it outside were two very different things for him.

Every child is different, and potty training wasn’t going to happen overnight.

Why We Took Potty Training More Seriously

Around May, the weather became warmer and more humid. He started developing irritation in his private area, which made me think more seriously about moving away from diapers.

I talked to him and explained that wearing underwear might help him feel more comfortable. His daycare teachers were also very supportive and encouraged us to start potty training.

Around 35 months, we started sending him to daycare in training underwear.

Thankfully, he did very well. Accidents were rare, and his teachers often told us how well he was doing.

We were so proud of him.

Then Came a Potty Training Setback

Everything was going well until August.

For that month, he was in a classroom with children between the ages of three and five. I think the new environment may have been stressful for him.

Suddenly, he started having accidents again for more than a week.

Before that, accidents had been rare, so I was surprised. I also noticed that he had learned that training underwear could absorb some pee. Sometimes, he would pee a little at a time and wait until he really couldn’t hold it anymore before going to the bathroom.

It felt like we were taking a step backward.

I later learned that potty training regression and accidents can happen when children experience changes in their routine or environment. Looking back, I think the classroom change may have played a role.

What We Did

I didn’t want to pressure him too much.

At home, after his bath, I stopped putting training underwear on him and let him wear loose pajamas instead.

I kept encouraging him.

“You can do it. You know how to use the potty. Wet underwear doesn’t feel comfortable.”

Slowly, things got better again.

And Now, He Starts PreK3

Now, he is starting PreK3.

A new classroom. New teachers. A completely new routine.

And honestly, I’m a little worried.

Will he start having accidents again?

Maybe.

But potty training a 3-year-old has taught me something important: progress isn’t always a straight line.

There can be successful days, accidents, setbacks, and then progress again.

So as we begin this new chapter, I’m trying to remind myself to be patient.

He can do it. And this too shall pass.