I have to admit, my daughter has been a bit of an experiment, and bless her, she’s made it through. Becoming a parent is one of my greatest joys, but it has also brought a hefty dose of humility. Potty training was one of those humbling experiences. I was convinced it would be a walk in the park. After all, every other toddler seems to be winning awards for their bathroom achievements on social media.
When my daughter turned 2 ½, we casually chatted about potty training. There was no pressure—just conversation. She would occasionally sit on the potty without any success, which was perfectly fine. I had heard countless times, “One day, it will just click, and they’ll get it.” So, I patiently waited for that magical day to arrive.
As her third birthday approached, my optimism began to wane. The nagging fear of failure crept in, causing me to question my approach. I wondered if I should be doing something more to help her along. I reviewed our game plan, which included:
- Discussing the potty.
- Reading potty-themed books.
- Investing in an overpriced potty chair.
- Stocking up on character-themed underwear.
We had enough superhero underwear to decorate a small room. We were all set—there was no way my kid was going to fail at potty training.
But then, nothing happened.
After months of waiting for that “aha” moment, I did what any slightly neurotic, control-freak parent would do. I scoured the internet for advice. “Potty Train Your Child in 3 Days” was the top result, with dozens of articles promoting the same plan. Three days? Really? We had been at it for months with hardly any success. I read glowing reviews from parents who claimed this method was practically foolproof.
“Little Bobby was a lost cause until we tried the 3-day method. He was fully potty trained and accepted into Yale by the end of the second day!” I was sold.
The approach was simple: cover the furniture in plastic, put your child in underwear, and take them to the potty every 20 minutes. Set a timer and have a stash of Smarties ready. It was foolproof! I dedicated two days to taking my daughter to the bathroom every 20 minutes. With a toddler awake for 11 to 12 hours a day, that totals about 70 trips to the bathroom. Seventy.
She didn’t succeed even once. I had to toss out my living room rug and put the dog on anxiety medication. It was a total disaster. By the end of the second day, I ditched the three-day plan and opened a bottle of wine. I called my good friend, and when I recounted the chaotic events, she couldn’t help but laugh—the kind of laugh that says, “Oh, bless your heart.” She suggested I put her back in diapers and not stress about it.
“She won’t be going to kindergarten in diapers, I promise,” she giggled.
Aside from a few questionable choices in our 20s, she usually knew what she was talking about.
So, I put my daughter back in a diaper and stopped obsessing over potty training. A month passed with no discussions about the potty. Then one day, out of the blue, she asked about it. I told her she could use the potty whenever she felt ready, and she replied, “Okay, I want to use it now.”
I braced myself for the inevitable mess and reluctantly helped her into a pair of Anna and Elsa underwear. She walked into the bathroom and used the potty like a champ. I was genuinely shocked. From that moment on, she was potty trained. I swear on a stack of classic children’s books, that’s the honest truth.
Now, with one potty-trained superstar and a diaper-wearing 2-year-old, I have the chance to redeem myself in the potty training department. This time, I’m ditching the plans and unrealistic expectations. I’ve let go of my anxious tendencies (at least when it comes to potty training), allowing my son to guide the way. He’s already expressed some interest in the potty, which is fantastic, but I’m totally fine with him staying in diapers for a while longer. I haven’t bought any character underwear, and I don’t plan to anytime soon. I know he will get there when he’s ready, and I’ll celebrate every little victory along the way.
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In summary, potty training can be unpredictable, filled with unexpected challenges and successes. Embrace the journey, and remember that every child learns at their own pace. Sometimes, stepping back is the best approach!