illustration: Alixandriya Schafer
The promise of being diaper-free in just a few days is like a siren song to parents of toddlers?it?s hard to resist. Just imagine, after only one long weekend: no more spending money on diapers and wipes! No more changes in the middle of dinner! No more lugging that enormous diaper bag everywhere you go! It sounds too good to be true, but according to proponents of the three-day method (which has various approaches, depending on who you ask), it really is as easy as that. They credit the speedy results to the very clear messaging, uninterrupted repetition and concentrated effort (hello, it?s three solid days of just potty training!). We say if it works, at least you get training over with quickly.
There are several popular books that teach the three-day method, and their approaches vary slightly, but here?s how the strategy generally breaks down: Make sure they?re ready to potty train
According to most advocates of the three-day method, you?ll have the most success with kids between 18 and 30 months (some say waiting too long can make it more difficult to train kids this way). It?s also important to note that many experts argue that toddlers aren?t at all ready to grasp the concept till they?re at least two. Signs of readiness outlined in most manuals include being able to communicate wants and needs well through a combination of gestures, signs and words; an interest in the toilet;

a desire to be changed out of soiled diapers; the abilit...