My little one is now 3 years, 2 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days old, and guess what? He’s still not potty trained. My eldest was fully trained by 2 and a half, even managing to stay dry throughout the night. So, yes, it’s clear that every child is unique. I can accept that, so why can’t others?
Apparently, I should be worried—very worried. But why? Honestly, I have no idea. Just take a look at the judgment in the eyes of those who throw pitying glances my way. They manage to convey a horror story of pee and poop with just one look. It’s unsettling, to say the least. And let’s be clear: it’s none of their business!
Just the other day, a friend of mine caught sight of a photo of my son in a diaper before he turned 3. She gasped and grimaced, casting judgment with her expression. At the time, she had one child (yes, just one!), a three-month-old, and confidently declared she would have her son potty trained by 18 months. I gave her a stern look—thanks to my inner mom power.
I’ve heard it all. Some say his delayed potty training means he’s overly dependent on me (yes, you mean he’s a toddler!). Others claim he lacks discipline. And don’t even get me started on the kindergarten scare tactics—“He won’t get into school without being potty trained!” (which gives us two more years, by the way). They even suggest there might be developmental issues at play.
“Are you worried?” they ask.
Am I worried? Not in the least! My son is perfect just the way he is. He’s hit every developmental milestone I consider appropriate for his age, and even if he hadn’t, he would still be my amazing boy. He’s funny, clever, talkative, and yes, sometimes he uses the potty, but other times he doesn’t.
We’ve tried everything: Pull-Ups, underwear, even letting him roam around the house in the buff. The method that seems to work best is allowing him to be naked at home; he knows when to make a dash for the toilet. However, we can’t have him running around naked outside, can we? So despite our constant reminders, sometimes he makes it to the potty, and sometimes he doesn’t.
Want to know what that tells me? Are you really ready for this? Here it is: he’s NOT READY. There, I said it. I refuse to force my child into something he’s not prepared for. It’s as simple as that.
One day, he will no longer want to sit in his soiled pants, and when that day arrives, I will celebrate! I’ll be thrilled, high-fiving him and doing a goofy dance to one of his favorite songs while singing, “We did it, hooray!” My husband will join in with their signature chest bump, and life will move forward.
Until then, I won’t be bothered by others’ opinions or feel ashamed. First of all, my son is perfectly fine! And secondly, I’m confident I’m not alone in this journey. There are many other parents out there with three-year-olds who aren’t quite ready for the potty, and I’m sure they’ll navigate this phase just fine.
For more insights on parenting struggles, check out our post on potty training tips. If you’re considering at-home insemination, visit Make a Mom for reliable syringe kits. And for those looking for thorough information on pregnancy and home insemination, the Genetics and IVF Institute is an excellent resource.
In summary, I’m not worried about my child’s potty training. We’ll get there in our own time, and I’ll continue to love him through this journey.
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