How I failed at potty training my child

2. Started too early

Although my son showed absolutely no signs of being ready for potty training (he was also speech delayed), I felt the pressure. So I bought a potty, stocked up on pull-ups and decided to start.

3. Buying special potty training pull-ups

Swapping nappies for potty training pull-ups was a mistake. They were supposed to feel wetter after an accident, helping with the realisation and the process. However, apart from their hefty price tag and cute designs, they made no difference at all.

4. Buying disposable bed pads

As we were renting a furnished flat at the time, I had the additional stress of protecting the sofa at all costs. I spent a small fortune on disposable pads that didn't stay in place and did a terrible job of soaking up the 'accidents'.

5. I was inconsistent

On some days, I would put my son on a potty first thing in the morning, on others I wouldn't. How confusing for a little child!

After a week of countless accidents, I started to get frustrated. What was I doing wrong? I decided to rethink my approach. It then occurred to me that he simply wasn't ready! So we stopped there and decided to wait until my son showed signs of being ready for potty training. Also, his speech delay was getting better at this point which made communication a lot easier for him!

Guess what, he was almost 3.5 when we potty-trained him but it only took us a few days, with just a couple of accidents! I was also better prepared this time. I completely ditched pull-ups and nappies and invested in a good-quality bed mat: PeapodMats, which stay in place without straps and quickly absorb any accidents or spillages. I cannot tell you how stress-free it was!

For me, as a mother, it was a challenging journey. The first attempt seemed to me as though things weren't going according to plan. But I then realised that it was more my own, albeit social-pressured, plan, rather than an experience led by my son. Through this, I learned my lesson and potty training my other two kids was a breeze.

My advice to you is to be patient and consistent with your child. Don't give in to social pressures and don't compare your child to others, as every child is different. Stay calm, positive and try not to get frustrated. Good luck! - Polly