1. "Child-led" guidance taken too literally. The shift toward child-led potty training was intended to prevent the harm caused by forced early training. But many parents interpreted it as "wait until the child asks to train" — which could mean waiting indefinitely. Child-led means watching for readiness signs and starting then, not waiting for the child to volunteer unprompted.
2. Stuck in a power struggle. Many parents started too early, hit resistance, and got locked into a battle of wills. The longer it goes, the more charged it becomes. Some parents back off completely to avoid conflict and don't know how to restart without reigniting the battle.
3. Unrecognized developmental needs. Children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, or chronic constipation have a genuinely harder time with potty training. Parents often sense something is different but don't have a diagnosis or strategies. Without the right approach for that child's specific needs, training stalls.
4. Inconsistency across caregivers. Parents may be working on training at home while daycare uses pull-ups, or grandparents use diapers on weekends. Children need the same consistent message every day. Inconsistency can extend training by months.
5. Modern diapers remove urgency. Ultra-absorbent disposables are genuinely comfortable. There's no external pressure forcing the issue for child or parent until a preschool enrollment deadline arrives.