Potty Training Regression

Q: My son is officially driving me crazy with this potty-training thing. First, he was completely potty-trained, no accidents or anything. Then, three months later without any warning, he just decided to revert back to his diaper days. He refuses to sit on the potty for a bowel movement. It makes me so frustrated. Hannah, help me!

A: Don’t come apart on me, Mama. We can lick this one. Potty training is a lot like spring. After a streak of warm days, you pack away your sweaters and throw on your shorts. Then, without warning, the weather turns cold, and you’re bundling up all over again. And so it goes with potty training. You pack up the diapers and get out those adorable little underpants. Then for some odd reason that is beyond you, your little darling decides to stage a potty protest.

First, realize that, as bizarre as it seems, this is completely normal. Any accomplishment has its fair share of hiccups along the way. Just consider it a hiccup, only a bit messier and from the other end. Second, make sure there have not been any big life changes to throw anything off. If so, try to make the transition a bit easier by surrounding him with the familiar. Now for the third point, and it’s the biggie. You need to lighten up. Disappointment is the last message you want to send your child because he will take it very personally. If he feels like he’s letting you down then he may try to hold it in, and the last thing you want is a case of constipation. Just roll with it, keep the wipes handy, and know that even though it feels like it right now, you won’t still be changing his diapers when he’s in middle school. Be patient and cheerful. When he finally decides to use the potty, it will be for keeps.

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