Experiencing your toddler’s developmental milestones as a parent is thrilling and demanding. One of the common challenges parents face is guiding their little ones from diapers to using the toilet. If your toddler is still in diapers, take comfort that each child progresses at their own pace, and there’s no one-size-fits-all schedule for this phase.

I fully appreciate and embrace each child’s journey in potty training. This mindset extends to my three-year-and-ten-month-old daughter. Despite her age, she continues to wear diapers, but her introduction to a potty started early, thanks to an engaging video at age two. I introduced her to a potty chair when she was just one, making it a familiar presence in her room, where she often interacts with it during play.

While I encourage her to use the potty, I avoid putting undue pressure on her, recognizing that readiness is vital in this developmental process. I remain patient, confident that when she feels prepared, she will make the transition willingly. When asked about her continued use of diapers, I explained that she is not ready yet, prioritizing her comfort and readiness over social expectations.

What fills me with tremendous pride is my daughter’s exceptional intelligence. At her young age, she has already mastered reading and writing the alphabet in both uppercase and lowercase letters, can write her name, understands numbers 1-10, can count up to 100, and actively participates in online preschool with proficiency. Her fluency in English, the primary language I’ve taught her, is complemented by her understanding of our native Tagalog language. In the broader context of her development, the ongoing use of diapers seems minor compared to her remarkable cognitive and linguistic achievements.

I have no concerns about the timeline for her transition from diapers, even if it extends to age five, as long as she remains healthy and content. My pride in her goes beyond social expectations, as she is, in every sense, an ordinary and extraordinary child.