Yesterday on Facebook my friend posted a link to this article on how the risks of child abuse rise during potty training and you know it broke my heart into a million little pieces. Anything about child abuse would naturally have that effect on me but the  fact that we are going through potty training hell right now only makes it worse. My emotions regarding PT are on an all time high and I lately feel a little bit at the end of my rope.

He turned four three weeks ago and he’s still not there. I mean – he knows how to use the potty and does so every day but he still wets like 6-10 diapers a day at least. How is that normal? How can he really not hold it in time to use the potty when he’s supposedly going to the potty at least that many times also? How many times in one day does the boy need to urinate?

Sometimes I think he might have a weak bladder but then sometimes I think that he’s so preoccupied with his toys or his tv or his coloring books that even when I do get him to use the potty he might not even be going? He seems to just run into the bathroom and within seconds run back out – like he’s not even trying – if he doesn’t start peeing within 0.5 seconds he clearly doesn’t have to go in his mind. So we make him go again sometimes when it seems like he wasn’t in there long enough – sometimes three times in a row – to the point where he’s getting angry about being asked again.

We’ve tried… everything. Bribery does not work because he has the attention span of a gnat. Marshmallows only matter to him in the moment, you know? Today I told him he’s not allowed to watch tv until he learns to put all his pee in the potty – and even without that pesky boob tube (good riddance, I say) he isn’t doing any better. I told him he can’t go to kindergarten until he learns to use the potty every time but that’s such an abstract concept – I don’t think he gets that either and at this rate we might still be potty training when he goes off to college!

The last time we tried underwear it was obviously too soon because he wet all six pairs within about 2 hours. That was at least a year ago but just the memory makes me gun shy, especially when I think about all the carpeting and furniture that I’ll probably have to clean when it doesn’t pan out. About fifteen minutes ago I tried making him walk around naked but that was like playing chicken with myself – and I only lasted about 5 minutes before I couldn’t deal with the potential side effects any more.

I nag him about this so much that I’m worried I’m going to give him a complex – but I’m getting tired of throwing out just barely peed in pull ups by the dozen on like a daily basis – those suckers are expensive! My other option is cloth diapers which really make it impossible to train him because he can’t take them off himself. And of course I could buy him more underwear I suppose but underwear isn’t cheap either and last I checked he doesn’t really mind sitting in soiled or soaking wet cotton. Seriously.

The potty chair in the living room – seems good in concept except I have a crawling little darling who likes to put things in her mouth. I’ve tried setting a timer for like every 15 minutes or so but I can only stick with that for like half a day until I feel like I’m losing my mind – and even with the every 15 minute timer he still manages to wet a diaper here and there – HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

So what I’m saying is – my son turned four 3 weeks ago and I’m at the end of my Potty Training Rope and terrified that I’m going to mess this kid up royally over pee and poop but something has to be done! And then I read awful articles about child abuse and want to cry myself a river and go back to bed.

Anybody else having potty training woes right now that wants to join me in my pity party – you are more than welcome to vent here – this is our safe space to cry over spilled pee pee and commiserate together – no judging allowed! It’s okay – you are NOT alone. Unless I am the only one, in which case – self – you are totally screwed.

And if anyone has any suggestions that don’t involve sticker charts, marshmallows, portable potties, timers, punishments, kicking, screaming  and guilt trips – I’d love to hear them.