A couple of things that took a long time to figure out but in retrospect seem quite obvious now

1. You cannot make a child poop in the potty if he/she doesn't want to. You can't bribe, cajole, force or beg either. He will do it when he is ready. It will be sudden: one day, no; the next day, yes. And you will be so very, very grateful.

2. I am turning into my mother.