I’m going to be honest here and I give you permission to laugh. I thought that since I’d already been through potty training once with my son, that potty training my daughter would be a breeze! I hear you laughing. I am too.
I thought she’d be easier because…she’s a girl! And I’d done this before!
I thought she’d be potty trained sooner because…she’s a girl! And I’d done this before!
I thought she’d catch on to #1 and #2 at the same time because…she’s a girl! And I’d done this before!
You see the pattern.
Joke was on me.
Why would my experience have any impact on a tiny human who has zero experience with potty training?
Why would me having gone through it before (and literally almost pulled my hair out) make it easier for my daughter?
I know parents of teenagers will laugh, but so far in my six years of parenting, potty training has been the most draining. So here I am. Passing along the things I learned:
1. Sticker charts work.
2. Sticker charts do NOT work.
3. Candy works.
4. Candy does NOT work.
5. Bribery works.
6. Bribery does NOT work.
7. Potty training in 3 days works.
8. Attempting at least 3 times over 5 months works.
9. There’s so. Much. #2.
10. Last but not least, after all of the begging and pleading and stress, I learned this: My children will go when they are ready. Not when I want them to. Not at the same time as my sister’s neighbor’s kid who is the exact same age. Not when it is convenient for me, but when they are comfortable.
I am still in the thick of this whole process for the second time, and I know nothing. I’m just along for the ride.
There is so much comparison out there. It is almost like a race to see whose kid can go on the potty first. So I just want to say this: potty training ain’t for the faint of heart. Whether your kid is diaper-free at two or five, you’re crushing it, Mama. If you’re in the thick of it now, I see you, and you’re rocking it! I send you a long distance high-five, because there’s no telling what is on my hands at this moment. (See #9 above)
What did YOU learn through potty training?
