I am officially on my third attempt at potty training over here… and if you’re in the thick of it too, solidarity.

The first time we tried, I honestly think we started a little too early. She wasn’t even 2.5 yet, and looking back, I don’t think she was fully ready. But even though it didn’t work at the time, I actually think it was still beneficial because it introduced her to the potty and made it a normal part of her routine.

From that first attempt, she became really good at pooping on the potty. So even though we weren’t fully committed to potty training back then, we slowly eased into it. Anytime I noticed her getting into her usual “poop spot” at home, I would gently put her on the potty. Over time, that part just clicked.

Now we’re on attempt number three… because this time, it’s crunch time.

She starts preschool three days a week in September, and she needs to be fully potty trained. She’s going to be the youngest in her group (she will have only been 3 for one month when school starts) and it is adding extra pressure.

This week, we’ve really been trying. We made a sticker chart, and every time she fills it up with five successful potty trips, we head to Five Below and she gets to pick out a little toy. Honestly, it’s been working better than I expected except for the fact that she has been incredibly resistant to peeing on it. Toddlers really do have their own timelines, don’t they?

A few days ago, she peed on the kitchen floor while wearing underwear, looked at me and proudly said, “Look, Mama! I’m playing in a puddle!” while happily splashing her feet in it.

I was standing there thinking, “Oh my gosh. This is never going to work.” 

But slowly, we’re making progress. Today we had no accidents, and every single pee made it to the potty. I’m calling that a win.

Potty training has been one of those parenting moments where you realize you can encourage, teach, reward, and support your child, but at the end of the day, your toddler is still very much in charge. They will do it when they are ready, and sometimes the journey there is a little messier and more chaotic than we imagined.

So to all my potty training mamas currently living in a world of sticker charts, underwear changes, and wondering if your child will ever just pee on the potty — I see you.

It’s chaotic. It’s messy. It’s exhausting. Solidarity to you toddler moms.