13/05/2026
To the parent who feels judged or alone, this is for you.
Recently, an influencer chose to mock the fact that some children are still in nappies or pull-ups when they start school. They suggested it was down to “lazy parenting,” ignoring the reality of so many families. This narrative is not just unkind; it is deeply harmful.
I want to speak directly to the parents of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabilities. My own son is nearly ten years old and he is still in pull-ups. This isn’t about “parenting style.” It is about biological and neurological reality.
Many children face challenges that the general public simply does not understand:
* **Interoceptive Issues: If a child’s brain does not receive the signal that their bladder is full, they cannot “just go” like other kids.
* **Sensory Processing Issues: The sounds, smells, or sensations of a bathroom can be completely overwhelming for a child with sensory sensitivities.
* **Medical Conditions: Chronic constipation, bladder issues, and physical disabilities are medical realities that do not follow a school calendar.
* **Prematurity: Children born prematurely often have delayed milestones as their nervous systems need more time to mature.
* **Developmental Delays: Every child’s nervous system matures at a different rate. Pressure and shame do not speed up development.
- issues with trauma and abuse or long hospital stays and other reasons not on this list
Mocking these families is punching down at a community working incredibly hard. Development is not a race, and a child’s worth is not measured by when they stop wearing nappies or if they need help eating.
Please comment if your child was still in pull-ups when they started school. Let’s make others feel less alone and drown out the judgment with support. Our children are wonderful exactly as they are, and you are doing an amazing job.
