Welcome to the wild and wacky world of potty training! Let’s just say it has its ups and downs—more downs than I anticipated. I thought, “My kid is sharp as a tack. At just 23 months, he’ll be a potty pro in no time.” Two kids in diapers? Not in this house! My eldest is moving on up, and I was determined to follow suit.
But here’s the kicker: intelligence has zero correlation with mastering the art of using the toilet. Fast forward three days of what felt like an indoor water park, and I was ready to throw in the towel. I had no victories, no small wins—just a lot of pee on the floor. Eventually, I had to accept that maybe we’d just wait until he was “ready” and show some “signs.” Spoiler alert: those signs can be misleading!
Let’s debunk five popular potty training myths that I fell for:
- “When he’s ready, he won’t want to be in a dirty diaper.”
My son has been narrating his bodily functions for ages. “Mommy, there’s pee in my diaper!” he proudly announces. My response? “That’s what diapers are for, buddy! You’re getting big; soon you’ll rock big boy undies!” He wasn’t having it. He knows he’s in a diaper and frankly doesn’t care.
- “When he’s ready, he’ll show interest in the toilet.”
Every kid is intrigued by the toilet, right? The flush, the water, and the mystery of what happens to their precious toys? My son will humor me by sitting on the throne, demanding storytime, but then he just toots like that’s a victory.
- “When he’s ready, he’ll want to observe my bathroom habits.”
Who doesn’t have an audience during bathroom breaks? Kids are curious little creatures, and mine is no exception. But just because he’s peeking through the door doesn’t mean he’s ready to ditch the diapers.
- “When he’s ready, he’ll covet underwear.”
My son knows there are some epic Spider-Man undies waiting for him, and he’ll even ask to see them. But when it comes to wearing them? Nah. He’s happy for everyone else’s success in the underwear department while still chilling in his diaper.
- “When he’s ready, it will be a breeze!”
We’ve all heard the tales of kids mastering potty training in just three days. And then there’s that one friend who claims their child put on underwear one day and never looked back. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but my experience suggests it’s not that straightforward. So, don’t hold your breath!
Potty training is a rite of passage, sure, but it’s not the end of the world if it doesn’t happen overnight. Besides, what’s the rush? The goal of saving money and achieving bathroom independence is commendable, but at the end of the day, it’s about patience and timing. If you want more tips related to pregnancy and home insemination, check out this post. And for expert advice, visit Make a Mom. Don’t forget to explore the Genetics and IVF Institute for reliable information on pregnancy topics.
In summary, potty training is a journey filled with myths and misconceptions. Your child may not fit the mold of what “readiness” looks like, and that’s perfectly okay. The key is to remain patient and flexible; every child is different, and eventually, they will figure it out in their own time.