Our youngest child, Mia, is 3 and a half years old. My partner, Alex, works at our kids’ school, enjoying summers off, while during the school year, Mia is in daycare. This summer was our last chance to get her potty trained before preschool, and let me tell you, it’s been a battle. Alex and I have been tackling this challenge in shifts, and I feel like my house has turned into a pee-pee playground.
We’ve tried everything imaginable—stickers, treats, movies, letting her sit on the toilet nude while watching a tablet, even having family members demonstrate the process. You name it, we’ve done it. Mia knows when she’s going; she announces it proudly, points down, giggles, and tells us she’s “going pee-pee.” Sometimes, she sneaks up behind me, checks my backside, and asks, “You poopy, Daddy?”
“No, I’m not. Thanks for checking,” I reply.
“Oh,” Mia says with a mischievous grin. “I poopy.”
All three of our children have been early walkers and talkers, yet they all took their sweet time with potty training. For years, they’ve been adorable little walking, talking bags of poop. And every time, we’ve never had the option to “just wait for them to figure it out.” Between work and school commitments, we’ve faced a tight timeline, and while Alex and I struggle to guide these little ones through this process, we encounter countless other parents boasting about how easy and quick their children mastered it.
“My daughter was potty trained in a day.”
“My son used the potty at 6 months.”
“My daughter asked to use the potty at 2 and now, at 3, she’s doing calculus.”
Every time I hear these success stories, there’s an undertone of superiority suggesting they’re somehow better parents than me, as if they can’t fathom why my toddler still wears diapers.
And in those moments, I want to shout, “Please, save your stories!” I’m frustrated, my house smells like a locker room, and you just had to tell me how easy it was for you.
Okay, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic. If your child figured it out easily, that’s fantastic—congratulations! But I’m currently deep in a sea of Peppa Pig underwear and can’t sit anywhere without finding a wet spot.
So if you’re one of those parents for whom potty training was a walk in the park, this post isn’t for you. I’m reaching out to the parents in my position—those working moms and dads who desperately need to potty train their kids within a specific timeframe, while their little ones resist at every turn. I’m talking to the parents chasing a naked toddler down the hall, urine flying everywhere as you shout, “Put it in the potty!”
I understand your pain. I know it’s tough. I recognize that everyone around you makes it seem so simple, and that can lead to feelings of inadequacy in your parenting skills. You are not alone; many parents have been there, including myself. You’re doing nothing wrong, and I promise, eventually, they will get the hang of it. But in the heat of the moment, it often doesn’t feel that way.
If you’re like Alex and me, you’re likely spending evenings scouring the internet for new potty training strategies. If you have a supportive partner, you’re taking turns navigating this journey together. Some children just find this whole potty training thing to be a significant hurdle.
And you know what? That’s perfectly okay. That’s the essence of real parenting—teamwork. When that child finally climbs onto the toilet and does what they need to do, the feeling of accomplishment will be unparalleled. It will surpass the joy of obtaining your driver’s license or the thrill of your wedding day. Seriously, it’s a monumental win.
So hold fast. Don’t lose hope. Remember that every child is different. Just because your child is having difficulties doesn’t mean they’re any less wonderful, intelligent, or important. Ignore the judgmental parents. Keep an eye out for those “I need to potty” signs, have the carpet cleaner ready, and stay the course. It will all work out, I promise.
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Summary
This article discusses the challenges of potty training, especially for working parents with limited time. It emphasizes the struggles many parents face, contrasting their experiences with those who find the process easy. The author encourages patience and teamwork in navigating this parenting milestone, reassuring parents that their efforts will eventually pay off.