Potty training your toddler can be quite the rollercoaster ride.

It has the potential to greatly disrupt the lives of numerous parents and their children, and it is certainly an experience where you want your kids to feel a strong sense of support. It’s quite astonishing how a disagreement over potty training has escalated to the point where a mother has decided to cut ties with her son’s grandmother.

«Around two weeks ago, my husband’s mom came to visit, and coincidentally, I was taking my son to the bathroom at that time.» She then decided to tell my him ‘Be careful, a monster might pop out of the toilet!’ My son began crying, adamantly refusing to use his potty and opting to wet his pants instead. My husband and I were curious about Grandma’s thought process, so we asked her directly. However, she became defensive and insisted that it was all meant as a joke. She adamantly refused to apologize. That’s why we threw her out of the house.»

The woman also mentions that the potty training has completely gone off track.

«Since then, my son has refused to use his potty for two weeks, so we had to put him back in diapers for now. Usually, I would assume that the problems lie with the MIL. However, the lack of specific details and the casual attitude towards preventing someone from seeing their grandchild after an inappropriate incident says a lot.»

After talking it over with my husband, we both agreed that his mom would never be able to see our son again.»
It’s quite surprising that the parents have completely banned the child’s grandmother from seeing him due to what was likely an innocent joke. While it’s understandable that they are concerned, the extent of the ban seems a bit extreme.

«Now that she’s come to understand the gravity of the situation, she’s been pleading for our forgiveness. However, she didn’t want to apologize the first time, and the only reason she’s sorry now is because she’ll face consequences. We refuse to forgive her, and she does not deserve any forgiveness at all. She is no longer welcome in our home.»

It’s no surprise that opinions on this matter are varied, with some expressing their disagreement with the parents. One commenter noted, «It’s obvious why she sucks. You suck because the ban is too long. Ban her until Christmas or he’s potty trained, that will be a direct correlation to her offense.»

And here’s the main problem: Being banned for life over a harmless joke just doesn’t seem fair.Around two weeks ago, my husband’s mom came to visit. Coincidentally, at that time, I had to take my son to the bathroom. She proceeded to warn him, «Just a word of caution, there’s always a chance of a surprise lurking in the toilet!» My son began crying, adamantly refusing to use his potty and opting to wet his pants instead. My husband and I were quite taken aback when we questioned Grandma about her actions, but she immediately became defensive and claimed it was all just a joke. She adamantly refused to offer any apologies. And so, we decided it was time for her to leave our home.

«It’s been quite a challenge with my son’s potty training lately. He’s been adamantly refusing to use the potty for the past two weeks, which means we had to go back to using diapers for now.» After having a heartfelt conversation with my husband, we came to a joint decision to indefinitely restrict his mother from having any contact with our son.
It’s quite surprising that the parents have completely prohibited the child’s grandmother from seeing him due to what was likely an innocent joke. While it’s understandable that they are concerned, the extent of the ban seems a bit extreme.

«Now that she’s come to understand the gravity of the situation, she’s been pleading for our forgiveness. However, she initially declined to apologize and it seems that her current remorse is solely driven by the impending negative repercussions. We refuse to forgive her, and she does not deserve any forgiveness at all. She is no longer welcome in our home.

It’s no surprise that opinions on this matter are varied, with some expressing their disapproval of the parents. One commenter remarked, «It’s clear why she is not good.» I’m really disappointed with the length of the ban. It would be appropriate to suspend her until Christmas or until she is potty trained, as this would directly reflect the severity of her offense.

Someone else expresses their wish for the mom who initially shared the story to become the ideal grandmother she envisions:

«Perhaps a temporary ban until he’s potty trained, but seriously, for the rest of his life?»

«She threw a rock, and you threw a bomb.»

«I really hope you aspire to be an exceptional mother-in-law and grandmother, so that your son doesn’t end up with someone as easily provoked as you.»

Someone suggested that if this happens to be the grandmother’s first major mistake, she should be put on probation:

«If this is her first offense, it might be worth considering probation as a possible course of action.» If Granny has a history of such behavior, it might be wise to limit contact with her. Not offering an apology is also a concerning indication.
Ultimately, it appears that the most crucial aspect of the story is what is left unsaid. Is there more to this relationship than meets the eye?

«There are definitely other concerns at play. It seems that the OP had been looking for a reason to do this, and she found what she believed to be the perfect opportunity. Usually, I would assume that the problems lie with the MIL. However, the lack of specific details and the casual attitude towards preventing someone from seeing their grandchild after an inappropriate incident says a lot.»

Potty training can be a lengthy process that seems never-ending, leaving parents feeling frustrated and desperate for any assistance as they navigate this important milestone. Many preschools have a requirement for 3-year-olds to be potty trained before starting, which can create a significant amount of pressure for everyone involved to ensure the task is accomplished. It’s really unhelpful when a joke scares a child, but it seems like the jury has already made up their mind that a lifetime ban is too harsh for this offense.