Finally got my 4yo potty trained (mostly)

Dec 251 min read

After 18 months of accidents, pull-ups, and existential crises on my part, we're like 85% there. Still some nighttime issues and the occasional accident when he gets distracted playing, but WE DID IT. No more buying cases of pull-ups at Costco. My wallet and sanity thank me. Fair warning: when you finally get there it's not some magical moment, it's just... a bunch of small victories that eventually add up.

10 comments173 views

Comments(10)

CClint R.RegularDec 25

Don't stress about the distraction accidents. His brain is still learning to interrupt play mode for bathroom mode. That takes a bit longer naturally

RRob K.RegularDec 25

85% is basically there. Nighttime training is literally a different developmental thing anyway - that's not a potty training failure, that's just how bladders work

BBenny R.RegularDec 26

85% IS a win! Nighttime accidents are developmental, not a failure. Some kids don't stay dry through the night until like 7 or 8. You crushed the daytime part

SSteve Q.RegularDec 26

Celebrate this hard. Seriously. That's a massive milestone and you stuck with it through the messy part. Way to go

VVic H.RegularDec 27

18 months is rough but honestly not abnormal. We did 14 months with our oldest and felt the same relief when it clicked. The occasional accident when distracted is TOTALLY normal for 4

MMark A.RegularDec 28

That's huge though. 18 months of that stress is REAL. The fact that you powered through instead of giving up is legit impressive

DDante J.New DadDec 28

The distracting himself while playing thing is so real. Our 4yo would just lose track and have an accident mid-Lego session. Glad you're past most of it. Nighttime usually sorts itself out by 5-6

TTony G.RegularDec 28

The "existential crises on my part" killed me because yeah that's accurate. Potty training is somehow harder on us than on them

MMatt D.RegularDec 28

lol the existential crisis part hits different as a parent. You just lose SO much mental energy to this process and then one day they just... get it

HHank L.RegularDec 28

Celebrate this. Seriously. Pull-ups, accidents, the whole thing - you stuck with it and it paid off. These boring wins are the biggest ones as a parent