Some think I’m crazy attempting to toilet train my daughter before she turns two next week. Maybe I am. However, allow me to elaborate on why. There are two reasons:

  • At just 18 months of age I had her going to the toilet four to six times a day without an issue – number twos were never a feature
  • I find myself with a week off, likely my only week off for a while, so I have time to invest in this process

So, I have done my research, and there is a lot out there about being able to train your toddler in three days. There’s just one problem. In the last six months missy has regressed immensely. I’m now lucky if I can get her to go just once a day (usually before a bath), and when I say, “are you a big girl?” she replies, “No, I’m a baby”.

So, here we are at the close of day one. One suggestion, don’t attempt this when you’re raging with PMT. It’s not good at all.

So, we got up this morning and quite happily said “bye-bye nappy!” We had breakfast, ample liquids, and I put her on the potty every 20 minutes. For three hours. Nothing. The little minx could hold a wee!  Farts abound also, and nothing. I stayed with her the whole time, constantly putting her on the potty, with little results. Even bribery of favourites such as strawberries and ice cream led to nothing. Then, as I turned my head away for a moment, the little minx peed all over the floor. She screamed as I grabbed her and chucked her on the potty. The floor (wooden, thank goodness) was covered, with a small dribble making its way into the potty. However, she was most upset, which I saw to be a good thing. She wouldn’t do that again!

Of course, the moment we put her in a nappy for her afternoon nap (I’m just not patient enough to go all or nothing), she promptly soiled herself. Then, up again, and another three hours of toilet strike. At least I know the kid has bladder control, though I’m a little concerned she might make herself sick. Once she hopped into the bath with Dad she let the bladder go again.

So, all in all, I wouldn’t call it a successful day. I’m too proud to say “failure”, but it’s not looking good. Nevertheless, I will push through. I’m determined to give it the 72 hours it deserves. And, if after that nothing works, I give up until summer. Right now I want to curl up into a ball and cry! Might have to try the “nice mum” route tomorrow, because hormone-raging mum got nowhere today!

Read next: Introducing the toddler diet

*Note: The accompanying image is a stock image, courtesy of Pixabay

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