My potty training journey: Confessions of a toddler in transition

We might earn a small commission by affiliate programs designed to earn advertising fees by linking products we might use or like. This has no cost for you.

Hi! It’s me. Academic baby. You know, the one who used to be perfectly content doing my business in a cozy diaper. Yeah, that one 👶. Apparently, academic mom and dad decided I’m “ready” for potty training.

First of all, whose idea was this? Because I don’t remember signing up for this program. One day, we’re living our best life, me in my trusty diapers, they’re smiling as they change me (most of the time), and the next, I’m being invited… no, encouraged to sit on a strange plastic chair that looks like it’s missing the rest of its furniture parts.

I get it. This is “the next step” in growing up. They keep telling me I’m a “big kid now.” But here’s what it’s like from my perspective.

Stage 1: The potty appears

At first, they brought home this bright little potty and placed it in the bathroom like it was a new pet. They clapped and said, “Look! Your very own potty!” I nodded politely, but inside I was thinking, "Why do I need my own chair in here? I don’t even play with the cell phone as they do".

They sat me on it fully clothed to “get me used to it.” That was fine. I can sit. I’ve been sitting since, like, forever ago. But then they started removing my diaper before I sat down, and whoa! Now we’re playing a different game.

Stage 2: The constant check-ins

Once potty training starts, parents turn into personal assistants with one urgent mission: find out if I have to “go.”

“Do you need to go potty?” “Let’s try sitting on the potty!” “Come on, just for a minute!”

Sometimes, I do feel like I might have to go, but the moment they put me on the potty, my brain forgets what we came here for. It’s like when you open the fridge and can’t remember what you wanted. I get distracted by the tiles, the flush handle, or Coco walking by.

Stage 3: The first success

Okay, I’ll admit it. The first time I went to the potty, they made a big deal about it. There was clapping, cheering, and I even got a mini dinosaur (I love those!). For a second, I thought I’d just won the Baby Olympics.

The dinosaur was cool, the cheering was fun, buut honestly? I was still confused. Because we also cheer when I dance in the living room or say a new word. So was the potty thing special, or just another one of their “Yay! You did a thing!” moments?

Stage 4: The accidents

Look, it’s not that I don’t try. But sometimes I get so busy building towers, reading books, or pretending to be a dinosaur that I forget my body has limits. Then, oops!.

They sigh, say “It’s okay,” and change my clothes. I notice they’re less enthusiastic when they’re scrubbing pee out of the carpet. Sorry about that. I am learning.

Stage 5: The power struggle

Sometimes, I just don’t want to go when I am told to. They say, “let’s try before we leave the house.” I say, “no!” they say, “just in case” I say, “No!” they offer a treat. I say, “Still no.” It’s not that I enjoy holding it in, it’s that potty training is one of the few things I have total control over. And toddlers like control. We’re tiny, but we run our own schedules in certain areas. This is one of them.

Stage 6: The nighttime mystery

Daytime potty training is one thing. Nighttime? That’s a whole different world!. When I’m asleep, I can’t hear my bladder’s whisper saying, “Hey, time to wake up and find the potty”. Sometimes, my bed is not very dry in the morning.

They´ve started using these “training pants” at night. They’re like diapers but less comfy. I’m onto you.

Things that help me learn

Since I’m the one doing the hard work here, I’ll let you in on a few things that make this whole process easier for me:

1. Patience. I know you’re excited for me to “get it,” but rushing me makes me want to do the opposite. Let me learn at my own pace.

2. Routine. Sitting on the potty at the same time each day helps me remember what it’s for.

3. Books and songs. Reading a potty book or singing a silly song keeps me from thinking about how strange this whole process is.

4. Praise (but not pressure). I love when you tell me you’re proud, but don’t make me feel like I failed if I have an accident.

5. Letting me watch you. Yes, I notice you using the big potty. If you do it without making it a secret, I understand more quickly that it’s just part of life.

The big picture

I know potty training can be messy, frustrating, and sometimes even hilarious. But here’s the thing: I

 get there. It might take weeks, or months, or even longer, but I’ll figure it out, because all kids do.

Until then, I need you to remember that I’m not just learning where to go… I’m learning to listen to my body, to pause what I’m doing, and to take a little responsibility for myself. That’s huge when you’re my size.

So, if you’re a parent in the middle of this adventure, here’s my toddler-to-parent advice: Keep it positive, keep it patient, and keep the spare pants handy.

And maybe, just maybe, consider that my diapers aren’t so bad in the meantime. They’re comfy, reliable, and never talk back.

But yeah… I guess this potty thing isn’t that bad. Especially if there are dinosaur toys!.