Signs Your Toddler is Ready for Potty Training Time

Potty training can a complicated ordeal and toddlers may take a while to catch on to the new routine. If you are searching for the answer to what age you should start training your child you will never find a clear answer. Experts show that because each child develops differently, parents should look for signs from their child that indicate they are ready to ditch the diapers. Signs may include the child's interest in the "potty", less frequent wet diapers, the child's awareness to when they are going and embarrassment when they go in their diaper. These signs can happen anywhere from 11 months to 1 and 1/2 years old, this all depends on your child.

If they are not ready, you will be wasting your time if you start too early. We made this mistake by introducing the potty at 9 months old and pushing this issue. My daughter began to use the potty, but because she was not ready she did not stick with it. Because of our overbearingness she was 2 before she used the potty regularly. Maybe some have luck by pressuring their child, but we did not ,and I do recommend waiting until the child can control their bladder and bowel otherwise this will discourage them in the future to use the potty. Do keep in mind that children should be potty trained by their third birthday. Diapers are very convenient and parents would rather take the easy way out. During the 1950's 95% of children were potty trained by 18 months old. This is because there were not disposable diapers, and cloth diapers were not very convenient. Today only 10% of children are potty trained by 18 months old. So by the time your child is 18 months you should at least begin to introduce the potty.

Here are a couple of tips that you may find helpful on your quest to potty train your child:

TIP # 1: Find out what motivates your child

People often say that rewarding your child for going to the potty on the big id potty is bad because they will only do it if there is something in it for them. I disagree, children are easily motivated by simple rewards and once they get the hang of it the are usually not going to go back to wearing a diaper if you train at the right time. Recently on the television show John and Kate Plus 8 Kate gave the children 1 M&M each time they used the potty. This method works well and you are not overindulging your children. If your child likes candy allow them one piece each time the go to the bathroom on their toilet. If your child is not motivated by candy, try other methods such as a sticker chart. This is how I got my little one to get rid of those diapers. We made a small chart with 16 squares and allowed her to color it and add her own personal touches. Each time she peed in the potty she received one sticker, and two stickers for the other. This may be vice versa for your child, some children poop on the potty easily but have a hard time peeing. When she fills up the chart we then get to go to Chuck E Cheese. Make the reward of filling the chart extra special for the child and they will be more willing to complete it.

TIP # 2: Do not buy Pull-Ups

I thought Pull-Ups were god sent when the potty training process began, but soon realized they are evil. Pull-Ups are no different than diapers and children know it. They will continue to go to the bathroom in them because they will hold their pee or poop as diapers do. Pull-Ups are expensive and will only pro-long this process. So save your money and time and just buy underwear.

TIP #3: Do not make potty time frightening

Some children are scared of the potty. They are often scared of falling in or the loud noise the toilet makes when it is flushed. If you notice that your child may be intimidated by the toilet invest in a potty chair and keep it away from the toilet if possible. Place the potty somewhere in the house that is easily accessible for them until they get the hang of things. Never flush the toilet while they are in the bathroom if it scares them! If they are scared of falling in purchase a toilet ring and see if they are more at ease with this; if not just stick with the potty chair.

TIP #4: Do not get angry

There are going to be many accidents before your child is going potty on their own. Do not get mad at them and do not let them sense your frustration. This guilt will not help the process and will only set them back. They must feel that going potty is alright, but they should make sure to do it on the toilet. As my daughter progressed with training we decided that taking away one sticker from her chart was appropriate if she didn't take the time to go to the potty. Eventually you will notice the difference between accidents and intentional negligence to use the potty. Children sometimes get so busy playing they do not want to stop to use the potty, and this should then be corrected. Accidents happen when the child does not catch themselves in time and should not be corrected the same way.

TIP # 5: Buy pretty "Big Girl Panties" or cool "Big Boy Underwear"

Pick out underwear that the child would want to wear. Make is a big deal when they are wearing them so that they no longer want to wear those baby diapers.

Good Luck to you, and I would love to hear any additional findings during your potty training adventures!