Episode Summary:
Today I'm so excited to be talking with Annie Adamson, the founder of Primal Child™. Annie has spent over two decades blending movement science, nervous system literacy, ancestral parenting wisdom, and a deep understanding of holistic pelvic and postpartum care.
She helps parents reclaim trust in their child's innate intelligence, supports body awareness from birth, and even has a revolutionary take on potty training—Primal Potty Training™, which treats it as a sacred stage of body awareness rather than a task to check off a list.
In this conversation, we talk about the "golden window" for potty training (hint: it's earlier than you think), why the 3-day method might not be serving your child, and how rhythm—not routine—can transform not just potty learning but your entire family dynamic.
In This Episode We Discuss:
- Annie's journey from teen mom to creating the Primal Potty Training Method
- The four pillars of Primal Child: movement, ancestral nourishment, nervous system regulation, and potty learning
- What "body literacy" means and how to build it from birth
- The golden window for potty training (6-12 months) and why starting early actually makes things easier
- Why Annie doesn't recommend the 3-day potty training method
- Understanding your child's constitution (fire, water, earth, air) and how it affects their learning style
- The difference between rhythm and routine—and why it matters
- Play by proxy and how to introduce the potty without pressure
- What to do when your child will only poop in a diaper
- Nighttime potty training strategies
- How to respond to family members who question your approach
Key Takeaways:
- Potty training is a developmental milestone, not a task to rush. Just like walking or crawling, it deserves time and respect.
- The golden window for introducing potty learning is 6-12 months—when babies are naturally curious and less likely to resist.
- Rhythm creates safety. When the potty is part of a predictable, warm family rhythm (like tooth brushing or morning tea), it stops being scary.
- Skip the bribes. Sticker charts and candy rewards aren't necessary when potty learning is introduced as a normal part of life.
- Know your child's constitution. A fiery, strong-willed child needs clear leadership and autonomy, while a sensitive, watery child needs softness and more time.
Connect with Annie:
Upcoming Event:
Join Annie Adamson for an in-person Primal Potty Training Workshop in Portland this spring hosted by Be Well Baby! You'll get hands-on guidance, see different potty options, and have your questions answered in community with other parents. Pre-walking little ones welcome.
March 8th 3:30pm in SE Portland.
Click Here to Sign Up!
