Patience In Potty Training

11 Sep Patience In Potty Training

Before I became a parent, I thought I knew everything about parenting. I would hear stories about kids throwing tantrums in the mall, and think, “My kids will never do that!” I would read rants and complains from moms on Facebook and automatically think I knew a better way. I’ll admit it. I was judgmental. I was a bit of a jerk, actually.
Things I was SURE of before I had my daughter:

1. I would never let her play with my phone. She would learn how to be entertained without a screen.
2. She would not be a picky eater.
3. I would potty train her super early, like people do in China.

Little did I know what was about to hit me.

Realization: I Know Nothing  
Obviously, I ate a lot of my words when I actually had a kid. While we do limit her screen time, sometimes it’s just too convenient to play Cookie Monster on my iPhone while grocery shopping. Boundaries are good so she doesn’t turn into a zombie, but I’ve caved in a little. Ok, A LOT. Actually she is sitting next to me on the bed right now watching Thomas the Tank Engine on my IPad because she woke up from her nap too early and I need to finish writing.
Thankfully, she really isn’t a picky eater. But then there is number 3. I had too high expectations for my daughter to potty train early. She’s shown signs of being ahead and even “gifted” for awhile, so I figured toilet training would come easy to her. She’s very independent and logical, so why would she want to make a mess in her diaper?

Early Potty Training Fail 
At 18 months, she was showing all the “signs” that she was ready to start her journey towards the potty. She would pull on her diaper, tell me after she’d pee or poop, and had a general interest in the bathroom. So, we excitedly got her a training potty and started to sit her out it.
The first time she went poo, I was so excited! Potty trained before 2, wow! No more diapers! I went and bought her princess undies and celebrated with a lollypop.
But…that was the last time she went. Now she is over 2 and doesn’t want to have anything to do with the potty. Everyone I’ve talked to says to not even try until she’s 3, that when she’s ready, she’ll go again. She may be smart, but she’s stubborn. I know that now.

Be Patient- Every Child Is Different 
I know as much as there is set milestones, every child is different. I’ve learned to never say, “My child will never…” because you just never know! Parenting is humbling and that’s a good thing. I have since learned that being potty trained is my child’s accomplishment, not mine.
Parenting is also a crazy adventure. It’s jumping into the unknown with nothing but the internet and others unwanted advice, but usually you just have to learn from experience!
What you story? At what age did you start potty training? What’s your trick? Did you like me find patience a virtue? Did you praise your child for each step? What has worked for you? How do you as a mother cope with managing your anxiety on this issue?

About the Author:
Brooke Gale Louvier is a freelance writer living in Fort Worth, TX. She is married and has a beautiful, spunky 2-year-old daughter. Brooke is a contributor to KACHY TV Blog and you can find her writing about out of the box parenting and fun parenting life experiences on her blog, The Stay-At-Home Something. https://thestayathomesomething.com/. She loves traveling, poetry and tea.