Potty training can feel like an epic adventure — full of hopes, dreams, and, let’s be honest, a fair share of chaos. When my son turned 23 months, I thought, “He’s a bright kid; this is going to be a breeze!” I was determined to ditch the diapers. After all, my older child was moving on to big kid status, so why shouldn’t he?
Well, reality hit hard. Just because he’s clever doesn’t mean he’s ready to master the art of using the toilet. Three days into our potty training journey, I was overwhelmed with the indoor “water park” situation that was my living room. There was no success, no small victories — just a lot of clean-up. I began to feel like a failure and decided it was time to hit the pause button and wait for those elusive “signs” that he was ready. Spoiler alert: those signs can be deceiving.
Let’s debunk five of the most common potty training myths together:
- “When he’s ready, he’ll dislike dirty diapers.”
My little one has been vocal about his bodily functions for ages. “Mommy, there’s pee in my diaper!” he chirps from the backseat. I try to capitalize on this moment, mentioning big boy underwear, but he quickly dismisses it, saying, “Yeah, but I’m still small.” In short, he knows what’s happening in his diaper, and it doesn’t bother him at all. - “When he’s ready, he’ll show interest in the toilet.”
Who wouldn’t be curious about the magical toilet? It flushes and has a little pool of water just at their level. My son loves to sit on the toilet, sometimes demanding another story about Pirate Pete’s Potty Adventure, only to sit there and make “toots.” He seems to think this counts as progress. - “When he’s ready, he’ll want to mimic mom and dad.”
Bathroom time has become a spectacle. My husband has had more than one surprise visitor while he’s trying to use the loo. But just because kids are curious about what their parents do doesn’t mean they’re ready to ditch the diapers. - “When he’s ready, he’ll be excited about underwear.”
He knows those awesome Spider-Man undies are waiting for him, and he’ll even ask to see them. But when it comes down to it, the excitement ends quickly. He’s perfectly content in his diaper, regardless of the fun big kid underwear everyone else is wearing. - “When he’s ready, it’ll be a piece of cake!”
We’ve all heard the stories of parents who claim their child transitioned to underwear in just three days. But let’s be honest — that’s not most of us. If past experiences with other potty training myths are any indication, this probably won’t be your story either. So, temper those expectations!
Potty training is a significant milestone in parenting, and while it can save you money and help your child become more independent, there’s no need to rush. Embrace the journey, keep your sense of humor, and remember, you’re not alone in this.
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In summary, potty training is a unique experience filled with ups and downs. Don’t fall for common misconceptions; every child is different. Allow your little one the time they need, and remember that you’re all in this together.