Why does potty training feel like the ultimate parenting stress test?

In this episode of Help Them Bloom, host Evelyn Mendal, parenting and child development expert, dives deep into one of the most anxiety-inducing milestones for parents — potty training.

Evelyn is joined by Tabby Pool, a Miami-based potty training consultant and pediatric occupational therapist with 15+ years of experience across the UK, Australia, and South Africa, and Elena Ducoin, mom and inventor of My Bee Bear, a unique potty training underwear designed for both day and night use.

Together, they unpack:

- Why potty training is such a developmental challenge — not just a “three-day method.”

- How cultural expectations have shaped unrealistic timelines.

- The real signs of readiness (and what not to focus on).

- How to make the process less of a power struggle — and maybe even fun!

- The story behind a mom’s creative invention that changed nighttime training forever.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Potty Training Challenges

01:51 Understanding the Stress of Potty Training

04:44 Signs of Potty Readiness

07:09 Cultural Shifts in Potty Training Practices

08:40 Personal Experiences with Potty Training

12:00 Innovative Solutions for Nighttime Potty Training

15:58 Creating a Supportive Environment for Potty Training

19:28 No Pressure Approach to Potty Training

24:49 Addressing Regression and Withholding in Potty Training

26:26 Understanding Constipation in Children

31:06 Addressing Fears Around Toilet Use

35:05 Strategies for Daytime and Nighttime Potty Training

41:59 Recognizing Red Flags in Toilet Training

48:12 Innovative Solutions for Potty Training Challenges

Follow along on Instagram: @hatchandbloomco instagram.com/hatchandbloomco

Visit the website: https://www.hatchandbloom.co/

Produced by Haynow Media: https://haynowmedia.com/

43. Why Is Potty Training So Stressful for Parents? Real Talk & Game-Changing Solutions