Potty Training Progress Stoppers

AKA How to Confuse a Toddler Without Really Trying

Ah, potty training. That magical time when you transition from wiping adorable baby bottoms to cheering when someone pees in a plastic bowl shaped like a tiny throne. What could go wrong? Oh, just a few super common habits that lovingly sabotage the whole process.

Let’s break down the biggest potty training progress killers (and lovingly roast them a little, because we’ve all done them).

How to confuse a toddler by accident

A breakdown of the biggest potty training progress killers

🚨 The “Just In Case” Diaper Dilemma

“So… we’re potty training! Except for naps. And bedtime. And car rides. And when we go to the shops. And obviously on the plane. Oh, and grandma’s house. But other than that — totally committed!”

Look, I get it. Diapers are convenient. Accidents are not. But every time we put a child back in a diaper “just in case,” we’re basically sending a mixed message that says:
“Use the potty… unless it might be inconvenient for me.”

To a toddler, that’s like saying:
“Drive this car, but also don't. Just in case. Good luck!”

🪑 The Potty Dabbler

This is when we flirt with potty training but never commit. We buy the potty. We ask them if they maybe want to sit on it. We celebrate when they tinkle once... and then we go right back to our diaper comfort zone.

This creates a strange limbo where the child doesn’t really know what’s expected. Are we doing this potty thing or not? Toddlers are literalists — if they poop in a diaper once, they think that’s still the job description.

💩 The Withholder

This is the kid who can go… but holds it like they’re negotiating a high-stakes hostage situation. Often, this comes from confusion or anxiety. “Wait… do I go in the potty now? Or just at home? Or when I’m not wearing Paw Patrol pull-ups? HELP.”

Inconsistency can actually lead to real constipation issues, which turns potty training into an Olympic event called Fear-Based Poop Avoidance.

🤯 Confidence Killers

The potty is not just a piece of plastic. To your child, it’s a whole new life skill. And when we bounce between diapers and undies, it chips away at their confidence. “Maybe I’m not doing it right. Maybe Mom and Dad aren’t sure either.”

And toddlers pick up on that. Suddenly, you have a child who’s unsure, hesitant, or downright resistant — not because they’re being difficult, but because they’re genuinely confused.

So… What Do We Do?

✅ Embrace the Mess

Accidents aren't really accidents. They’re just… normal. It’s what your child has always done. They haven’t had 3 years of bladder control experience — they’ve had 3 years of diaper. Think of it like learning to drive: you can’t learn to park without occasionally hitting a cone or two.

✅ Commit to the Process

Yes, it’s inconvenient. Yes, you’ll run out of undies in 48 hours. But if you go all in, your child will figure it out much faster. If they’re ready, ditch the diapers (including those “just in case” ones) and stay the course.

✅ Remember: This is Short-Term Chaos for Long-Term Freedom

The goal is fewer diapers, fewer wipes, fewer ‘poop up the back’ situations. But to get there, we have to walk through the land of tiny pants and laundry mountains.

So chin up, potty-training warriors. Consistency is your best friend — and you can’t spell consistency without “clean floors, sort of.”

🧻 Final Wipe-Up

Potty training stalls happen to almost everyone. But the biggest barrier isn’t your child — it’s our adult brains trying to make potty training “fit” around our schedules. It doesn’t. It’s messy, inconvenient, and kind of hilarious if you’re tired enough.

But when you ditch the diapers and trust the process? You will get there.

P.S. Bring extra pants. Always bring extra pants.

Ready to Ditch the Diapers for Good?

If you're tired of second-guessing potty training and want expert guidance without the guesswork — my Dawn Direct Potty Training Package is here to help.
✅ No more mixed messages.
✅ No more potty confusion.
✅ Just a step-by-step plan that works (with real-life support from someone who’s done this thousands of times).

🎯 Let’s get your toddler confidently out of diapers — and keep them that way.