I feel like we’ve been trying to get him to stop using diapers for weeks, and even though sometimes it seems like he’ll do it the next day, he keeps going backwards. I don’t know if I’m doing something wrong or if it’s normal for this to take so long. I’m desperate because I hear about other children doing it super fast, and that frustrates me even more. I’d like to know how long this process really takes because I don’t understand if he’s not ready or if I should be more patient. I’m worried about putting pressure on him, but I’m also worried that it will get harder for him as he grows
Girl, same My daughter will pee in the potty like a champ for two days and then suddenly act like she’s never seen one before?? It’s exhausting. I’ve cried in the bathroom more than once during this phase You’re not doing anything wrong, some kids just take longer and it has nothing to do with us We’re doing our best 
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We were in that exact spot with our son when he was around 2.5. What actually worked for us was going completely bottomless for a few days just staying home. At first he had a couple of accidents, but by day 3, he started recognizing the urge better and heading to the potty on his own. We also had this visual sticker chart and he got to pick a little prize from a “treasure box” when he got 5 stickers
We used a timer in the beginning, like every 30, 40 minutes, just to remind him to try. But the biggest shift came when we backed off emotionally and stopped reacting to accidents. Just calmly cleaned up and moved on. He picked up on that low, pressure vibe. It’s still not perfect, but we’re worlds ahead of where we were. Just know that taking breaks from potty training is totally normal, and not a failure at all
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Hey, I’ve been through this twice now (my son is now 7), and if it helps, I just want to say that it’s very common and doesn’t reflect your parenting at all. My son wasn’t fully potty trained during the day until he was almost 4, and at night? Forget it, he was 6. Every child has their own pace.
What helped us the most was consistency and keeping it casual. We never forced it. I’d just ask, “Potty or diaper?” and he’d choose. And yes, there were still weeks where I felt like we were going backward. But in the end, it just clicked. He felt in control and proud of himself. If I could do it all over again, I’d stress less and trust that it will happen when they’re ready. You’re doing a great job, even when it doesn’t seem like it
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It really does get better I promise We had the same ups and downs with our daughter for months Then one random week, something clicked and she just… stopped needing diapers during the day. Accidents still happened, but she finally got it. What helped was letting her take the lead and not making it feel like a big deal either way We celebrated wins, stayed neutral on setbacks
Hang in there You’re planting the seeds right now even if it feels like nothing’s working One day soon you’ll be watching your little guy proudly flush the toilet and you’ll remember this phase like a weird blur
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I’m right there with you and I don’t get it either?? My niece trained in like 5 days at 2.5, but my son’s almost 3 and still refuses to poop unless it’s in a diaper. It’s been 2 months and feels like we haven’t made progress. Do your kids ever just refuse to sit on the potty even if they have to go? Sometimes I wonder if I introduced it too early or too late, but who knows at this point. What time of day works best for you all?
I say, when he’s ready, he’s ready. I waited longer to start bc my son was entering a new school around his 3rd Bday. Then about a month or two later- we started and he just got it- in about two weeks. We Let him go at his own pace.
It’s a pretty big deal for them and forcing it seems pointless and confusing.