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Stress Can Cause Your Child to Lose Interest in Toilet or Potty Training

Last Updated: September 14, 2009

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Parenting Tips for Your 33-34 Month Old Toddler

Most children learn to use the toilet regularly between the age of 2 and 3. But it is common to hit some bumps in the road as they learn. Sometimes toddlers, who have been using the bathroom regularly for some time, lose interest. They may go back to wearing training pants for weeks before going back to using the toilet.

These kinds of slips are common. Throughout development, children learn many new skills. They may spend many months developing a new skill. Then, once they have learned it, they leave it behind and start learning other new things. This can happen with potty training. Don’t overreact to these slips.

There can be many reasons for toddlers going back to not using the toilet:

  • She doesn’t want to stop playing. Especially if there are other children present.
  • She forgets to take toilet breaks until it is too late.
  • There has been a major change to her routine like starting a new preschool or having a new baby in the family.
  • She is stressed about a disruption in her life such as divorce or moving to a new house.

Stay calm and remind your toddler to use the toilet when she feels she needs to go. Making her feel guilty for the behavior may make her feel more stress. Stress can slow down progress in toilet training. Help her to remember to take breaks from playing to use the toilet.


Learn more about Your Toddler: 33-34 Months from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.


Note to Parents: When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If he or she is used, we are talking about all babies.
References: These materials were adapted by authors from Extension Just in Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Wisconsin.

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