Top 10 Things Parents Hate About Potty Training

Redbook

By Charlotte Hilton Andersen,REDBOOK.


Potty training is the final gauntlet of parenting toddlers and definitely falls under the category of "better to laugh than to cry." Of course the end product is worth all the struggle, but in the meantime, those of us still in the trenches like knowing we've got company.

1. Cutsey talk. "Every time I squeal, 'Oh sweetie! That is the best poopy ever! Yay!! And it DOES look like a bridge!' I want to look around and check for the hidden camera." - Maria

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"I felt like a 'poop midwife,' coaxing them to just 'push a little more,' and 'keep trying.'" - Melissa

2. How every toilet outside of our house becomes a huge attraction. "I like the enthusiasm, but we can't go to a park, store, or restaurant without having to visit the restroom-possibly multiple times." - Robyn

3. Laundry. "The other day I accidentally washed a pair of dirty toddler undies with my laundry-a fact I didn't discover until I made it to the gym, worked up a good sweat, and started asking everyone if they smelled poo, too." - Me (yes, seriously)

4. Skid marks. "Even though a kid is potty trained, it doesn't mean you won't still be dealing with streaks in the undies forever!" - Lisa

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5. The time. "I know, I should use the twenty minutes that it takes my daughter to sit on the toilet and squeeze out a droplet as girl-bonding time. And we do-we sing songs, read books, and chat about the weather. But when we're trying to get out the door, diapers are just so much more convenient!"

6. The inconsistency. "The other day, my two-year-old told me she really REALLY had to go while we were in the grocery store. So we got as quickly as we could to the bathroom, where she then started screaming 'NO!!' like I was trying to torture her." - Melissa

7. The ick factor. "Teaching them to wipe themselves...*shudder*." - Sierra

8. Bribery. "I hate that I had to bribe my daughter with M&M's to get her to go-though it did work!" - Darryl, who also happens to be a registered dietitian.

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9. Scary situations."Those auto-flush potties are a nightmare! Nothin' like having your toddler finally get comfortable with using the toilet, then 'whooooosh!' The dang thing goes off! I have to stand there covering the sensor, constantly reassuring her that 'It's okay; it's not gonna suck you down the pipe,' (even though I've thought the same thing!)." - Kevin

10. Power struggles. "Sitting in the bathroom for hours at a time only to give up and clean a puddle five minutes later!" - Deb

"How the toddler can lord his/her power over you. I really don't care if he does go to kindergarten in diapers!" - Kara

What do you hate most about potty training? Do you have any great tips to share?

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