I can't argue with the story as a whole because I think kids are over-coached and asked to grow up way too fast nowadays. But, the question it asks early on of "Shouldn't a child be toilet trained by the age of 4?" is a poor example, given that this is one area where kids' development has actually stepped considerably BACKWARDS over the past few generations. Prior to the super-absorbent, disposable diapers of today, kids knew they were wet and felt discomfort, leading to their being potty trained at a younger age. In the 1960s, 95% were toilet trained by the age of 18 months. It used to be almost unheard of for a 4-year-old to still be in diapers, but today the average for potty-training is 37 months and they make diapers to fit 5- and 6-year-olds.

maybe the diapers to fit five year olds are for bed wetters?

Amen! As an educator the problem is not expecting enough. It's all well and good to just let your child develop at a different pace, but unfortunately we teachers teach at least 20 students and we are given "pacing guides." This means this philosophy does not work in the real world and children are seriously lacking in common sense and independent thinking skills. They whine when you encourage them to do something on their own, and after you get them to do it, they realize they could do it all along. They just needed some guidance and that's what's lacking. I don't think parents are doing their child any favors by allowing them to be "free" and be "themselves" unless those parents plan on homeschooling and then moving to the middle of nowhere where a society that measures successes based on our abilities does not exist.

Either that or be prepared to "support" your child for the rest of his or her life (and yours).

I completely agree. Two of my three kids have special needs...they were still potty trained by 2 and a half. Potty training isn't about when the children are "interested" or "ready"...it's about when the parents can put aside time to just do it. Even my autistic daughter was potty trained by 2 and a half.

I know that there are those kids who wet the bed...just teach them how to strip the bed, and clean up. Don't put them in diapers...good grief.

just so they could take him to the mall without having to deal with potty breaks. I think we can all agree that's how NOT to use diapers.