The Tiny Thing That's Ruining Your Toddler's Potty Training

Let's face it, no parent is ever sad to say good bye to diapers. If you've ever been out and about with your little one in the thick of a code brown situation, only to discover you forgot to replenish your diaper stash, you know exactly what I mean. Although using the toilet brings many freedoms for both parents and kiddos, the road to potty training isn't always smooth. As you experience the successes and setbacks that this milestone can bring, keep in mind the tiny thing that's ruining your toddler's potty training, so you recognize what's happening when things get tough.

It's not uncommon for kids to experience problems with potty training, but often times parents may not understand where the resistance is coming from. This is especially difficult when you know your child is able to listen to the cues from their body and show all the readiness signs to potty train. But the one thing that could be standing in the way of successful potty training, is your child's inability to fully express their confusion or anxieties about the process, according to Healthy Children, a website for parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Not being able to clearly say how potty training is making them feel can manifest in different behaviors that halt the progress of the process.

As Parents magazine pointed out, the common thread of potty training issues are emotional. Fear of flushing, only using the toilet with one particular person, and still asking to poop in a diaper (although using the toilet to urinate) are all examples of ways children attach emotions with potty training. To understand what could be going on in your child's mind, Baby Center suggested considering that your child is fearful of making a mess. So when you can't pinpoint why your child is exhibiting certain behaviors, it helps to pause and consider what he may be feeling.

Additionally, big changes in a child's life can interfere with potty training, according to Today's Parent. Moving to a new house, having another baby, or switching preschools have the potential to interfere with keeping pee and poo where they belong. The possibility for accidents and potty strikes tend to peek during stressful periods of time.

When dealing with potty training woes, keep this in mind: not being able to fully communicate what you're thinking and feeling must be extremely frustrating for little ones. Chances are, they are proud to start using the potty but still need lots of support from you to feel fully confident. When you notice toilet troubles, step back and dig a little deeper to see if you can identify what emotion your child could be feeling. This way, you can form a solution to support his feelings, which in turn will help you say "so long," to those diapers forever.