Potty Training Reflections: A Year of Lessons Learned

It’s been about a year since we started potty training our eldest last March, and wow, what a journey it’s been! In my experience, potty training isn’t a race—it’s more like a quirky, unpredictable adventure that every kid does in their own time.

Not a Race, Just a Journey

I began the process with my eldest when she was just under 2.5 years old. Looking back, I sometimes wonder if she was a little too young, even though she was showing all the “I’m ready” signs. I’ve noticed that some of my friends and family who waited until their toddlers were closer to 3 seemed to pick up on the concept a bit quicker and with fewer hiccups. Every child is different, and that’s totally okay.

The 3-Day Myth—Debunked

I’ve heard plenty of talk about potty training in just three days, but honestly, that feels like wishful thinking. From our own experience and observing that of friends and family, even if an older kid might seem mostly dry after a few days, accidents continued to happen regularly for the next six months. It’s all part of the process, and expecting perfection right off the bat just sets you up for stress.

Keeping Calm When Accidents Happen

On the topic of accidents? They’re totally normal. I used to get super emotional every time one happened, feeling like I was failing my toddler. But over time, I learned that fussing over every spill only makes things harder. Toddlers are headstrong, and a calm approach really goes a long way. I started treating it a bit like mealtimes: offer opportunities, be prepared for messes, and remember that these little mishaps aren’t a reflection of my parenting skills. Amazingly life got a lot simpler and my child was more consistently dry following this.

Different Settings, Different Outcomes

One thing that really struck me was how differently my child and her friemds behaved at home versus in childcare. Even when everyone’s on the same page, it took most of them longer to be dry at childcare than at home. And that’s completely normal. Consistency helps, but some variability is just part of the package.

Why Do Accidents Still Happen?

Even after things seem to be getting the hang of it, I’ve noticed three common reasons for those pesky accidents:

1. Distraction: Sometimes, my toddler was so absorbed in what she was doing that she just forgot to take a break. I’ve even heard from reception teachers that this happens a lot in the first term of school when kids are learning so much they dont listen to their bodies.

2. External Changes: Big changes—a new baby, shifts in childcare, or even moving house—can trigger a regression. We’ve seen it happen in both our household and my toddlers friends and then, slowly but surely, things get back on track. It just sucks having to hang in there.

3. Health Issues: On rare occasions, something like a urinary tract infection can cause a sudden spike in accidents, even after months of dryness.

Tools That Made a Difference

Over this year, I’ve found a few products really helped ease the journey and have saved them to my amazon store front under Potty training essentials.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/juliamumof2under3

Looking Back and Moving Forward

This past year has been a mix of emotions, messes, and small victories. Every accident, every dry day—it’s all been a learning experience. I’m taking these lessons with me for when we eventually train our next child. Remember, it’s all part of growing up, and sometimes the best you can do is step back, take a deep breath, and let things happen in their own time.

What’s your potty training story? I’d love to hear your thoughts and tips as we all navigate this wild ride!