As a parent, patience is paramount, yet the time has come for me to actively pursue potty training with my 3-year-old, Max.
“Hide!” Max exclaims, darting into the corner with his tablet, completely absorbed in his screen. I can’t help but glance over, noticing the scrunched expression on his face. Yes, he’s quietly soiling his diaper. I’ve learned to act nonchalant; otherwise, he’d panic at the thought of me watching him.
Once he’s done, he cheerfully skips back to his toys while I prepare myself for the next task: changing a messy diaper. He seems content to lounge in his mess for hours, and although diaper rash isn’t ideal, it doesn’t deter him. I scoop him up, tablet and all, and brace for a change. He barely sits still long enough for me to clean him up before he’s off again.
As Max approached two years old, well-meaning friends and family began asking when I’d start potty training. I brushed it off, confident that I would wait until he was ready. I truly believed in this approach; after all, I despise changing diapers just as much as he dislikes being changed. However, I quickly realized that Max is quite stubborn and will resist anything that doesn’t align with his desires.
My own childhood potty training saga is frequently recounted by my parents, highlighting my determination to resist. Knowing this, I anticipated a challenge. I was lenient during Max’s second year, but as he turned three, I committed to a more focused effort.
For his third birthday, his grandmother sent him Thomas the Train underwear. While I was excited, Max was less than impressed, shoving the underwear away and exclaiming, “No Thomas underpants!” He often accompanied me to the bathroom, and I believed he understood the concept of using the toilet, yet he was unwilling to participate. Each time we visited stores with kid-sized toilets, I would encourage him, but his response was always a firm, “No potty!”
Determined to make progress after he turned three, I decided to stop accepting his refusals. I refused to buy larger diaper sizes, which are challenging to find, and opted for pull-up training pants adorned with Thomas, hoping he would be more enthusiastic. He was not.
I changed my approach one evening by removing his diaper and letting him roam around the house without it. I waited for him to express the need to use the bathroom. Initially, he did well, but when I attempted to put pants on him, he had a few accidents. I tried fabric training pants, but those quickly became just as undesirable as diapers. I eventually gave up after a particularly messy incident.
Then came a breakthrough: one evening, while he was playing, he didn’t alert me in time before he began to pee. Acting quickly, I grabbed a large plastic container and held it in front of him. It was a makeshift solution, but it worked. Max looked down, and something clicked for him.
A few hours later, he called out, “Mommy, I need the cup!” I rushed to him with the container, and he peed without issue. It was unconventional, but I was willing to try anything to foster progress. Now, while he’s awake and I’m home, he remains pantsless. Whenever he needs to go, he proudly announces, “I have to pee-pee!” and we dash to get the cup. He beams with pride, though he still hesitates with the toilet and asks for a diaper when he needs to poop. At bedtime, he uses the cup before I put a diaper on him.
Now at 3 ½, while this cup-peeing, diaper-pooping method wasn’t what I envisioned, I hold firm belief that he will be fully potty trained by his fourth birthday. Despite outside pressure, I trust my instincts and allow him to progress at his own pace. I’m not entirely sure why the cup is comforting to him, but as long as it works, I’m content.
Like many aspects of toddlerhood, potty training is a marathon, not a sprint. I will gradually introduce new elements, whether that’s underwear or the actual toilet. I’m confident that by this time next year, he’ll be as adept at using the potty as if he had always known how. I sincerely hope so, as I need him ready for pre-K, which doesn’t accommodate diapers.
In the realm of parenting, patience is essential. As I navigate this journey, I’m reminded that every child develops at their own pace, and I must embrace the process.
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Summary:
Potty training can be a challenging journey for both parents and children. This piece offers a personal account of one mother’s experience with her headstrong 3-year-old son, Max, detailing the ups and downs of their potty training saga. Despite initial setbacks, the mother remains optimistic about her son’s progress, emphasizing the importance of patience and allowing children to develop at their own pace.
Keyphrase: potty training journey
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