Potty Time, Big Wins: The Real Story Behind Toilet Training

By: Habiba zain

It is one of the most expected — and dreaded — milestones in early childhood: potty training. For a child, it is a step toward independence. For a mother, it is a test of patience, timing, and emotional strength. But with the right preparation, it can be a journey of growth for both.

Toilet training is not about teaching a child to use the bathroom — it is about emotional readiness, daily routine, and learning to trust each other through the messes and milestones. Both the child and the mother must be psychologically prepared for this new stage.

According to Dr. Ahmed Samir, a pediatrician, most children are ready to start toilet training between the ages of 2 to 3, though every child is different. The key is not age — it is readiness.

Signs that a child is ready include:

Staying dry for 2+ hours

Expressing the need to pee or poop

Discomfort when the diaper is dirty

Copying adults using the toilet

Being able to pull pants up and down with minimal help

Once these signs are noticed, the process should begin gently and positively.

Practical steps for parents:

Choose a child-friendly potty or seat adapter and let the child help pick it out.

Talk about using the potty with simple, encouraging language.

Set a routine: after waking up, after meals, before going out, every 2 hours, and before bed.

Use positive reinforcement: stickers, claps, praise — small rewards for progress.

Avoid any form of punishment; accidents are part of the process.

Dress your child in easy-to-remove clothes to avoid urgency accidents.

Gradually transition from diapers to potty, then to toilet

Toilet training is not just challenging for the child — it is often tougher for the mother.

Dr. Ahmed Samir emphasizes that emotional readiness is essential for the parent as well. It requires:

Patience — expect setbacks and messes.

Consistency — sticking to routines helps children adjust faster.

Positivity — calmness reassures the child.

Flexibility — taking breaks if things get overwhelming.

Support — sharing the load with a partner or trusted family member.

For Shorouk Hesham, potty training was one of the hardest phases of motherhood. “At first, I was nervous and didn’t know where to start. I was afraid I might pressure him or get angry if he made a mistake,” she shared.

Her first step was to consult a pediatrician to find the right time to start. “She told me that every child is different, but there are signs to look for — like showing awareness or feeling uncomfortable in a wet diaper.”

Once reassured, Shorouk began gently preparing her son emotionally, “I introduced him to the potty using fun language. We picked one with colors he liked, and I read him books about kids using the bathroom.”

She created a routine and rewarded each effort with encouragement or small gifts. “We had accidents, of course — that was exhausting. But I avoided yelling and explained things calmly.”

Shorouk also took care of her own mindset. “I reminded myself that this phase would take time, and that mistakes are normal. My job was to be supportive, not reactive.”

Potty training is not a race. It’s a process — full of difficulties — where patience is the greatest tool. With the right signs, structure, and emotional stability from the parent, every child can succeed at their own pace.

Toilet training is more than a milestone — it is a shared journey between mother and child. When both are prepared, supported, and encouraged, it becomes not just a practical achievement, but an emotional one. With each step, each small success, and every clean pair of underwear, they grow — together.