Without a doubt, the most challenging aspect of parenting for me (so far—I haven’t navigated the teenage years yet) has been potty training. It completely overwhelmed me. I had no idea the tough battles I’d face with my little ones. I began with my first child prematurely because I felt pressured by friends who were already starting. With my last child, I fought back against his strong will, trying to exert control even though he wasn’t ready. Each accident felt like a personal failure—why weren’t we making more progress?
Honestly, I followed all the wrong advice from the Potty Training 101 Handbook.
I cried, slammed doors, poured myself a glass of wine, and just as I was finishing up with one child, another was ready to start, trapping me in nearly a decade of potty training chaos.
So, if you find yourself in this situation—wondering if you started too soon and whether you should quit or persist, or feeling defeated because your child is four and still having accidents, or if you think your head might actually explode if you have to wipe one more bottom—I completely understand. I’ve been there. When someone says, “Don’t worry, they won’t go to college in diapers!” and you want to lash out because you genuinely doubt that, take comfort in this: They won’t go to college in diapers (you can take your frustration out on me). And remember, you’re doing an amazing job. You’re a great parent, and your child is fantastic, especially when they finally get to the potty on time and learn to clean themselves.
Potty Training Struggles
Confession #25806076: Hearing about others’ potty training success while my child is struggling makes me feel so frustrated.
Confession #25731198: I am currently in the depths of potty training hell. I have two little ones making messes all over my home. Please pray for me!
Confession #25544482: “Frustration” doesn’t even begin to describe how difficult potty training can be.
Confession #25796340: Potty training while working from home during a pandemic has been the most challenging experience of my life. I’m seriously considering quitting.
Confession #25788960: I gave up on potty training for now, and it feels liberating.
Confession #21860236: After four pairs of wet underwear and two puddles on the floor, I’m throwing in the towel for now. I can’t handle this chaos!
If you decide to take a break, that’s perfectly fine. If you want to keep going but are muttering “forget this” under your breath all day, that’s okay too.
In a moment of spontaneity, we added a puppy to our family. Well, we couldn’t choose just one, so we took two. Now I’m outside sweating while potty training them, and my kids are inside in the air conditioning playing video games! What a situation!
Confession #25788960: We adopted the cutest little puppy who is four pounds of energy. I just hope this phase doesn’t last long!
Here’s a fun fact: sometimes you get a puppy because they’re adorable and bring joy. But guess what? You have to potty train that little bundle of joy too—great!
My child is still in the potty training phase at four years old. One day, while running errands, he used his portable potty in the car, and I panicked about what to do with it, so I tossed it into a bush at the shopping center and hurried away.
Confession #25757827: I can’t even comprehend what my two-year-old is saying sometimes. I thought he was asking for a cookie when he was actually trying to tell me he had an accident in his underwear. He ended up in soaked undies for hours! Oops.
Confession #25751729: Once you finally get through potty training, you’ll have some epic tales to share with fellow parents in the trenches. Like that time you had to toss your kid’s poop in a bush at Target.
I’m relieved now that my daughter has started school. But I didn’t enjoy a single moment of the baby and toddler stages unless she was cuddling with me or sleeping. I’m only having one child because I refuse to relive those exhausting early years. Potty training? No thank you.
Confession #25315152: My partner wants another baby, but I’m content with just one. I love my son, but I hated every moment of pregnancy, labor, and the baby stage. Now that we’re potty training, I honestly don’t understand how anyone can handle more than one child. It’s pure chaos—definitely a one-time deal for me.
Confession #23913360: Potty training is what made me decide to stop at one child. The whole toddler phase is something I never want to repeat.
Potty training can leave many parents feeling broken, turning them into a shadow of their former selves. For some, it’s challenging enough to make them decide, “Nope!” to more kids. And that’s completely valid.
Confession #22146967: The worst part of potty training? The poop. I thought everyone was exaggerating about the challenges, but wow! My day now revolves around getting my child to poop!
Confession #21989159: Potty training is tough, but why didn’t anyone prepare me for the fear of poop? I worry about them holding it in, what they’re eating, and if they’ll get blocked up. Bribes don’t even help. Can anything go right?
Many parents are completely blindsided by the realities of toddler poop. Potty training isn’t just about pee puddles; dealing with a three-year-old’s epic poop in a public bathroom at a birthday party is when things really get messy!
Confession #25107278: I’d rather change diapers for another year than go through the hell of potty training again.
Confession #25092924: Potty training combined with dropping naps is going to drive me insane.
Confession #22150237: I’m so inconsistent with my own routine that potty training my toddler isn’t working. My bad habits are making me feel like a failure as a parent just two years in, and it’s breaking me.
Potty training can be incredibly exhausting, making you feel like you’re failing as a parent or on the verge of losing your sanity—or both. Sure, there are those mythical kids who conquer the whole process in three days. None of them live in my house. My kids seem to prefer the three-year plan, which includes plenty of day-drinking for me and tears in the pantry.
But we made it through, and so will you. Even if there are setbacks and you have to carry backup underwear everywhere for a while, hang in there, parents. Remember, in a few years, they’ll be teenagers asking for the car keys, and we’ll long for the days when our biggest worry was a little pee on the rug.
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Summary:
Potty training can be one of the most difficult experiences for parents, often leading to feelings of frustration and exhaustion. Many parents start too early or face strong-willed children, making the process even more challenging. Despite the chaos, it’s important to remember that this phase is temporary, and eventually, children will master the skills they need. Sharing experiences with other parents can provide comfort and camaraderie during this trying time.