When The Diapers Gotta Go

Ever wonder how old is too old for a child to wear a diaper? Often, a child remains in diapers not because of an inability to be potty trained, but because the parent isn't ready to let go a little bit. For a parent, having a child in diapers can be symbolic. It’s what defines a "baby." Sometimes Mom or Dad (or both) isn’t ready to give up their "baby" just yet.


It can be an emotional or trying time full of feelings of loss. But what effects does holding a child back from potty training have on the child?


Potty training is a natural process. It’s a natural development that children encounter along their path of growing. After all, except for a medical condition, no one attends his own wedding wearing diapers. Every person becomes potty trained eventually. In the past, when things didn't have to be so structured, parents allowed their children to go without diapers. This allowed the child to learn naturally.


While societal pressures discourage this today, psychological pressures can discourage potty training altogether.


Parents may hesitate with potty training for a number of reasons. They may have only had girls previously and this child is a boy… or vice-versa. Perhaps the child doesn't seem ready. Or the parents may feel they do not know how to potty train a child, so they avoid the task all together.


The easiest way to potty train a child is the natural way. A child left to his own devices will begin to imitate his parents. It's called social modeling. Modeling occurs when a child is in a transition of giving up one thing that feels good to them, or is secure, for another thing that offers the same feelings. So if parents make it worthwhile to give up the security of the diaper, the process is much smoother.


Here are some useful tips to build the self-confidence and trust necessary for a trusting and productive parent/child relationship:




  • Negative reinforcement is destructive.




  • Watch for signs that your child is ready.




  • Don’t inadvertently hold your toddler back.




  • Stay positive even if you feel crummy about it.




  • Consider this a milestone not a roadblock.



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