The Struggle (and Progress) After the First Weekend
The weekend was over — and the real test had begun. The days that followed were messy, unpredictable, and filled with lessons about patience and trust.
Monday morning came, and we were ready to take our son to daycare. This time, though, there was a new step in our routine — we had to make sure he went potty before leaving home. The first few days after that long weekend were a rollercoaster of small wins and setbacks. One morning we’d hear from his teachers that he had used the potty successfully, and the next day there would be a couple of accidents.
To make things more stressful, by the end of week one, we started worrying about number two. It wasn’t coming as easily, and we didn’t want to make him scared of going to the potty. Plus, we were anxious about how he might feel having accidents at daycare — were we embarrassing him? Was he feeling ashamed in front of his friends?
Talking to his teachers. They reassured us that this was completely normal. Accidents were expected, and kids rarely felt embarrassed because teachers handled them with patience and positivity. That reassurance gave us confidence to keep going.
Week Two: Back to basics (with pants this time)
We decided not to quit. For the second weekend, we went back to the basics of weekend one — but this time, not as strict. Our son wore underwear and pants, and we went out when we needed to. We kept things consistent, staying calm and repeating the same routine.
I’d love to say there was one magical moment when everything just clicked, but that’s not how it went. It was more like a slow, steady climb. Each week brought tiny signs of progress that added up over time.
Small wins that gave us hope
- By week two, accidents became less frequent, and he sometimes told us he needed to go potty.
- He started having fun again — it felt like the process was becoming his own.
- By week three, we noticed dry diapers during naps and even some dry nights.
- By week four, we could go days without accidents. Somewhere around week five or six, we had to think hard to remember when the last one was.
Finally, it all came together
Eventually, something just shifted. Our son didn’t need reminders anymore — he simply announced he was going to the potty and went on his own. There were still a few small accidents, but by then, we knew we were through the hardest part. The routine had become second nature.
Looking back, those early weeks were tough. But every accident, every reminder, every little cheer brought us closer to that big milestone — the moment we realized we didn’t need to buy another giant box of diapers again. 🎉
The real success comes from sticking with it — even when it feels like you’re taking one step forward and two steps back. Potty training isn’t about speed; it’s about trust, patience, and persistence. You’ve got this.