My son is 3 years, 2 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days old, and he still isn’t potty trained. My oldest was fully trained by 2 and a half, even managing to sleep through the night without a single accident. So, it seems true what they say: every child is different. I can accept that, but why can’t everyone else?
Apparently, I should be deeply concerned. Why, you ask? Honestly, I have no idea. You should see the judgmental glances I receive from those who seem horrified at the idea of a child in diapers. Their disapproving stares can be quite unsettling, not to mention, it’s none of their business!
A friend of mine once saw a photo of my son in a diaper before he turned 3 and gasped like she witnessed a crime. This was a woman with a three-month-old baby who confidently declared she’d have her son fully potty trained by 18 months. I shot her a glare that could melt steel—consider it an act of solidarity for all of us.
I’ve faced comments suggesting my son’s delay means he’s overly reliant on me or lacking discipline. People assure me he won’t be able to start kindergarten without being potty trained (which gives me two more years). They even hint that there might be developmental issues at play.
“Are you worried?” they ask.
Worried? Me? It seems everyone but me is anxious about my son’s potty training journey.
In my eyes, he’s perfect! He’s met every developmental milestone I consider important for a 3-year-old. Even if he hadn’t, he would still be my wonderful boy. He’s funny, smart, and sometimes he does use the potty, but other times he doesn’t.
We’ve tried everything: Pull-Ups, underwear, and even going without clothes. The approach that seems to work best is allowing him to roam the house naked. He knows when to go to the toilet, and he usually makes it. However, we can’t have him running around naked all the time, especially outside our home. So, despite our reminders, he sometimes uses the toilet and sometimes doesn’t.
What does this tell me? Are you really ready for my answer? Drumroll, please… He’s simply NOT READY.
There, it’s out in the open. I’m not going to force him into something he isn’t prepared for. So I won’t. It’s as straightforward as that.
Eventually, he will reach a point where he no longer wants to sit in soiled pants, and when that day arrives, I’ll be ecstatic! I’ll celebrate with a silly dance to a song from Ni Hao Kai Lan, singing, “We did it, we did it, hooray!” My husband will join in with their customary chest bump, and we’ll move forward.
Until that moment, I won’t be worried or disappointed. I’ll continue to support him and wait for the lightbulb moment. I will love him just the same.
I’ll treat him like a 3-year-old who isn’t ready to use the potty all the time yet. I refuse to dwell in shame because, first of all, he’s perfectly fine! Plus, I have a feeling I’m not the only one in this boat. There are other parents out there with three-year-olds who are also taking their time with the potty, and they will all be just fine.
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Summary:
This article discusses the author’s experience with her 3-year-old son who is not yet potty trained. Despite societal pressure and judgment from others, she remains unconcerned, believing that every child develops at their own pace. The author emphasizes the importance of patience and acceptance, celebrating her son’s achievements while acknowledging that he will eventually be ready for potty training in his own time.