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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be appalled that parents need to be supported by government to potty train their child

736 replies

Wisefishswimpast · 05/10/2026 18:29

That^^

Why are these parenting fails happening? - not potty trained for starting school, tooth extractions in young children, rising obesity rates….

Is there no accountability?
Why is this happening?

YANBU - parenting standards have declined which is terrible

YABU - this is how things are because….<explanation>

I know there will be exceptions to the above, for example certain health conditions, late maturation of signals between brain and bladder. I am referring to the more widespread rise in these instances.

OP posts:
AgeingMillennial · 05/10/2026 18:52

Well, this is what a lot of people wanted. Big state, lots of hand holding; no shame.

This is where it ends up. Adult children raising children.

Original poster
Wisefishswimpast · 05/10/2026 18:50

I agree with all points made so far. Where has the motivation gone to do these thing s for your child, is it laziness or lack of parenting skills.

It must be awful being in reception having to pick up the pieces, these poor kids too…

Screens as pacifiers yes I get that but don’t know how that translates to excusing parents from teaching these basic self care…imagine if these basics aren’t done then we’ve no hope for, pro social behaviour, manners etc.

What an absolute avoidable drain on public resources and tax payers money - it think its disgraceful

OP posts:
OptiMumm · 05/10/2026 18:49

People will be along soon to blame poverty.

Which is insulting to all the fantastic parents living in poverty, who manage not to neglect their children.

SeedsOfReason · 05/10/2026 18:48

Ban disposable nappies? Then parents will be so sick of washing nappies they'll be desperate to potty train their children. That's why children were trained much earlier in the past - disposable nappies didn't exist or at least were not the default.

There could be exemptions for disabled children.

Tiddlywinks63 · 05/10/2026 18:48

My friend is a TA, she says they have children who have never sat at a table for meals, no idea how to eat with a knife and fork, in nappies at 5 years old, don’t know how to look at a book and several who can’t dress themselves at all.

sausageth · 05/10/2026 18:47

It's an entitlement issue.
Parents think everything is someone else's job.

I don't think social media is helping. As much as I understand parenting is hard and it's ok to give your child chicken nuggets sometimes, it's also creating a culture of 'don't worry if you're failing to -insert basic parenting task here- , parenting is so hard' culture which just makes it easier for the most feckless to do no parenting at all. As is the whole 'wait until they're ready' nonsense.

IronEverything · 05/10/2026 18:45

I think we need to bring back shame. Because a lot of people's behaviour is pretty damn shameful.

Serenity75 · 05/10/2026 18:45

is it not a consequence of some parents raising their kids using screens for hours a day as a pacification method and not actually developing their skills in lots of areas.

NavyNorris · 05/10/2026 18:42

YANBU my daughter works in reception class. There has been talk of the children brushing their teeth at school also. Some of the things she sees are beyond belief. Obviously a lot of parents are doing a great job and there seems to be a lot of children who have SEN who will be the exemption but it definitely does seem like there are a lot of children turning up to school who just aren't ready when it comes to toileting, hygiene etc.

Besidemyselfwithworry · 05/10/2026 18:37

FunPartyIdeas · 05/10/2026 18:36

It's the Reception staff I feel desperately sorry for - their job is hard enough as it is.

Edited

I agree I can’t believe the news saying about sending out potty training info it seems ridiculous

FunPartyIdeas · 05/10/2026 18:36

It's the Reception staff I feel desperately sorry for - their job is hard enough as it is.