Are you at wit’s end trying to potty train your child? Have you bought multiple potties and toilet seat adapters, given out stickers and m&ms and spent hours convincing your child to just do ANYTHING while sitting comfortably on the potty – all to no avail? If so, this post is for you.
First off, let me share my credentials. I am the mother of two girls – currently ages 2 and 4. They are both potty trained – the four year old completely and the two year old is down to just a diaper at bedtime. On top of my own experience, I have talked to dozens and dozens of other moms about potty training. Over time, I’ve noticed a clear difference between the moms who were quickly successful and those that slaved away.
Some people will try and tell you that there is no way to potty train in one day. They are lying. Some people will try and convince you that there is a secret combination of begging, pleading and bribery that will get you there. They are also lying. There is only one surefire way to potty train in a day. Wait.
Yes, I said “Wait”. I don’t mean wait here and I’ll get back to you with the secret. I literally mean “sit yo ass down on the couch and wait until your kid is good and ready all on their own”.
I know, I know, this is contrary to every other thing you have read. But just hang in there with me.
Does your kid do anything else that you tell them to do? Mine don’t. The same kids that can identify the sound of a bag of chips being opened two rooms over, can’t seem to hear me when I am yelling right at them to tidy up. (Bastards.) If they want to do something, they will regardless of how many times I say no. If they don’t, no amount of bribery is going to make a material difference. Potty training is the same.
If you can suck it up and let your kid get there on his or her own terms, you’ll be better off. And they will get there. If they don’t decide to do it on there own, their playmates will eventually bully them on into it. In this case, bullies are your friend!
So stop searching the internet for the magic potty bullet. Sit back and prop your feet up for a bit longer. Stop looking at the diaper as your enemy. Soon enough it will come off and you’ll be making 237 trips to the potty per day just like me.
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MissNeriss says
Perfect. I’m totally filing this away. Meanwhile, the potty that I’ve been trying to get my 17 month old to sit on for the last month can just go back in the cupboard. Or in the too-hard basket.
Azar says
Hahahaha! So true and that’s exactly what I’ve been doing BUT being potty trained is a prerequisite for preschool. So what then? 🙁
nomadlynn says
Good question my friend. In this case, I would recommend using peer pressure as your weapon. Host or attend as many playdates as you can with other kids that are potty trained. Take your kid along for every bathroom trip and let them see that all of the “cool kids” are going potty on the toilet. Before my kids were potty trained, they would sit on everyone else’s potty – sometimes even going pee pee – when they wanted nothing to do with the one at home. If that doesn’t work, go in and have a chat with the preschool teacher or a daycare worker and see if they can give you any advice. Good luck!