You Will Love and Hate Potty Training

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The day my little boy said goodbye to diapers was a proud moment for all of us.  It was a glorious feeling of freedom and empowerment for my husband and I as we packed away our Desitin and unrolled the Elmo undies.  He was ready, we were ready, it just felt right.  There was cheering and high-fiving, even a few happy tears. 

But the day after that, there were many tears, and they weren’t so happy.  They were frustrated tears, shed as I glared at my stack of “Instant Potty Training” books on the nightstand.  And bewildered tears, wiped away as I watched my tape-recorded episode of Dr. Phil’s “Potty Train In A Day” over and over again, wondering where I had gone wrong.  How had the undies been so dry yesterday, and so very very wet today?

Potty Training Insider Tip #1 – PT is a rollercoaster ride, so you better hang on tight.  Your little one will have good days and bad, truimphs and setbacks.  There may be several phases involved – one bathroom activity may come more naturally than another, and nighttime PT is a whole different ballgame.  The words “I need to go wee” will cause both pride and panic to fill your eyes from time-to-time. You will find yourself cursing every grocery store that doesn’t have an easily found restroom.  And public humiliation at some point is pretty much guaranteed.  But you will also dance happily around a toilet with your toddler, celebrating a hard-earned success.

And, in the end, you will hang up your diaper bag for good.  Hooray!

So do yourslef a favor, and take a long-term approach.  99% of all toddlers do not potty train in a day, and that’s OK.  Acquiring this skill is a tough job for both you and your little one.  But when they finally get it, you’re going to love it!

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