10 Reasons to Hold Off on Potty Training

Get Pregnant Fast

Potty training is often viewed as a crucial milestone for parents, and it’s easy to understand why. Transitioning kids out of diapers can save you money, reduce mess, and eliminate unpleasant odors—something every parent welcomes. I successfully potty trained my first child, Max, with relative ease, armed with a guidebook and plenty of enthusiasm. With a baby on the way, I felt the urgency to get Max trained before his sibling arrived, even though he was only two. To my relief, he adapted quickly, and aside from a minor setback after his brother, Leo, was born, he’s been using the toilet without issue ever since.

Leo’s journey, however, was far more complex. Due to developmental delays stemming from a prenatal complication, we felt immense pressure to get him toilet trained, especially with looming daycare costs. After nearly a year of stress and half-hearted attempts, Leo suddenly mastered using the toilet, seemingly out of nowhere. What followed was an unexpected wave of challenges that made us reconsider whether we were ready for this phase.

Here are ten compelling reasons why you might want to delay potty training:

1. Accidents become epic disasters. Forget about cute little messes; these are full-blown disasters that can leave you feeling like you’re in a war zone.
2. Privacy? What’s that? You can’t even sneak away to use the bathroom without a little shadow asking if you’re going pee or poopy, and offering you stickers or cookies as incentives.
3. Public restrooms become your second home. You’ll become well-acquainted with every restroom between your house and the grocery store—fun times!
4. Timing is everything, except when it’s not. Your child will insist they don’t need to go until your food arrives, prolonging the inevitable chaos for years to come.
5. Loud announcements at the worst moments. Expect your child to declare their urgent need to “go POOPY!” at the most inopportune times—like during a wedding ceremony or a fancy dinner party.
6. Public potty breaks turn into endurance tests. Your kid will find ways to entertain themselves in restrooms, transforming every visit into a test of your patience.
7. Curiosity about others’ bathroom habits. Brace yourself for awkward questions directed at neighbors and friends about their own potty experiences, despite your best efforts to teach discretion.
8. Toilet flushing obsession. Your child might become utterly fascinated with flushing, which can lead to a substantial spike in your water bill.
9. Shopping trips can turn into a race against time. Get ready to abandon your full cart at the checkout because your little one is on the verge of a bathroom emergency—again.
10. Laundry will never be the same. Get prepared for a long-term battle with skid marks that just don’t seem to go away, no matter how much Spray ‘n Wash you use.

For more insights on parenting milestones, you might find our other blog post helpful here. And if you’re looking for resources related to pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource.

In conclusion, while potty training can be a big step towards independence for your child, it’s also a time filled with unexpected challenges. It might be worth considering if waiting a little longer could save you some of the chaos.