As a parent knee-deep in the potty training trenches, I recently found myself purchasing a book titled Percy the Poop. Yes, you read that right—a children’s book featuring a talking log of poop. The idea is that by giving poop a personality, my daughter might understand its rightful place: the toilet. It’s been a full year since we embarked on this journey, and frankly, it feels like an eternity.
Potty training entered our lives unexpectedly. One weekend, my two-year-old spontaneously decided she wanted to use the potty. At first, it seemed like a dream come true—she mastered peeing on the potty with relative ease. My husband and I were ecstatic, questioning why so many parents dread this phase. But then came the real challenge: poop.
Each child’s potty training experience is unique, and ours has centered around this one particular issue. Who knew that something so natural could become a monumental hurdle? Before you start suggesting solutions, let me assure you—I’ve tried everything. Here’s a glimpse of my extensive efforts to encourage my daughter to poop in the potty:
- Rewarding her with small and large prizes.
- Using a toddler potty chair and even a Disney-themed toilet seat.
- Creating a potty money jar—where a coin is earned for each successful poop (currently, it contains a grand total of one penny).
- Implementing a sticker chart with extravagant Disney princess stickers.
- Allowing her to watch videos or entire movies during potty time.
- Treats or special snacks as incentives.
- Engaging with poop-themed books (cue Percy again).
- Demonstrating the process by transferring poop from underwear to the potty.
- Letting her help clean up the mess.
- Allowing her to wear a pull-up or diaper when she asks.
- Sitting with her in the bathroom, giving her privacy, and sometimes leaving her on the toilet for far too long.
- Letting her select fun new underwear.
- Allowing her to go bare-bottomed at home (sorry, guests!).
- Even letting her decorate her poop with glitter—yes, really.
I’ve tried everything, from singing silly songs about poop to bribery that would make a used car salesman proud. I’ve shed tears of frustration and sought solace in online support groups. Yet, nothing seems to work.
The crux of the issue is my daughter’s stubbornness and intelligence. She knows she’s supposed to go in the potty but simply refuses to do it. Unlike other kids, fear isn’t a factor for her, and her lack of a consistent pattern makes it difficult to anticipate when she might need to go. This has led to an obsessive awareness of her behavior—I’m practically stalking her for signs of an impending accident, which is a mental strain.
“Relax,” people say. “She’ll figure it out eventually.” Maybe they never had a child who struggled with potty training. While I understand that this phase will eventually pass, it doesn’t diminish the daily frustrations I face. There are days when I find myself washing dirty underwear for what feels like the hundredth time and wondering if I’ll ever escape this cycle.
But I keep reminding myself that someday, she will be a potty pro. I’ll no longer be elbow-deep in laundry, and I’ll likely have another child to potty train soon. It’s a wild ride, to say the least.
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In summary, potty training can be a frustrating experience filled with unexpected challenges, especially when it comes to poop. While there may be days of struggle and uncertainty, remember that every child eventually learns. Hang in there, fellow parents; you’re not alone in this messy journey.
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