Helen Flanagan Defends Not Having Potty-Trained Two-Year-Old Daughter

Helen Flanagan has insisted she isn't a "lazy parent" because her daughter hasn't yet been potty trained.

Taking to Instagram, the soap star explained she was keen to train two-year-old Delilah to use the potty, but her hyperemesis gravidarum - as well as her filming schedule - had been getting in the way.

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a condition which affects a small percentage of pregnant women, and often causes nausea, dehydration, vomiting and weight loss.

But despite also dealing with her own struggles, Helen has said she is keen to use lockdown to train her daughter, if possible.

Instagram/ Helen Flanagan)

"Going back to potty training this month and lockdown," she wrote. "I really do not like potty training at all.

"I would have done it earlier with Delilah Pops but because I've been so unwell with my hyperemesis (anyone knows that's had this knows the last thing you want to do is potty train your little one).

"I tried in April but she just wasn't ready I don't feel, she would get far too upset and I wasn't in my own house so was more stressful. She uses the potty at home quite a lot and at nursery."

Instagram/ Helen Flanagan)

She continued: "Sometimes it's really not lazy parenting, everyone's situations are different and I want Delilah to potty train happily where she was getting far too upset last time.

"I defo need her out of nappies before baby three makes their way."

Despite Helen's concerns, she has nothing to stress about, as the NHS confirms most mums only start potty training when their kids are between two and two-and-a-half.

This means she's actually right on track.

Instagram/ Helen Flanagan)

Discussing her first daughter, she added: "Matilda was just before she was three but I was ill again with hyperemesis and living between Scotland and Manchester, so that's why she was later

"Sometimes it's really not lazy parenting everyone's situations are different and I want Delilah to potty train happily where she was getting far too upset last time.

"I defo need her out of nappies before baby three makes their way."

Fair play to Helen for being so honest about her journey. We're sure this is going to be a comfort to so many mums.

Topics: Celebrity News, Parenting

Joanna Freedman

Joanna is a journalist at Tyla with a particular interest in highlighting women's issues and telling inspiring first person stories. She's also their resident foodie, and loves covering exciting new beauty launches, too. Contact her at [email protected].

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