Potty Train Now?

Potty training is an interesting and complicated issue. Your friends and family will have their opinions and timing is different for different children. You know your child best but there are some tips on knowing if your child is ready or not.

*Can your child follow simple directions? (Potty training is a multi step process)
*Has your child shown any interest in the potty?
*Does your child tell you when they are wet or have pooped?
*Can the undress and dress themselves in simple clothing? (Pull down and up pants.)
*Is your child staying dry for several hours a day?
*Can your child tell you when they need to go potty?

Sure go get a potty. At least your child will be familiar with it. If she wants to she can sit on it, even in clothes, while you are going potty yourself. No need to push, that will only cause self deprecation on your child's part if they fail at something that they are not physically and emotionally ready for. You have time.

Joyful Parenting,
B. Davis, Child and Family Coach

If you would like to discuss this or any other parenting questions feel free to contact me at www.childandfamilycoaching.com.

Hi J., Well, I have to tell you but my daughter is 2 and still not using the potty all the time. When she was about 20 months she seemed to be getting it but then she repressed a bit. I didn't want to push her so we're slowly getting there. I am a mother of a 4 year old boy too who was very difficult to train. He was about 2 1/2 when he finaaly felt like being a big boy.
As far as to what seat is good. I like the one that attaches to the toilet from safety 1st. It is a bit of a pain to clean around with a boy but I think it's great with my daughter. Good Luck.
A. P
www.greensthewaytobe.com

Every "expert" has a different opinion on this subject. Our pediatrician told us that if it takes longer than two weeks, then your child is not ready. This isn't something that you're supposed to labor over for an entire year! It is an inevitable process that for some reason Moms like to become competitive about...I know you've all heard it!! Frankly, I don't see why there is such a push to get it done so early, it only frustrates you, your child, and every care taker they have! We were told that no matter what, you NEVER want to give your child a sense of failure so it is best to wait until their little bodies and little brains can accomplish this task with minimal aggrivation.

My son asked to go potty in the big potty at fifteen months. We thought, "Okay, he's ready!" but we didn't want to get too excited. He was potty trained completely by 22 months - even at night. I know that is not the norm, and my daughter is 29 months and will go if you put her on, but has only limited interest in being dry. My only suggestion is that we used a seat that kept my son from falling in (he picked out Dora and I think he was more excited to use it because he picked it out). We started to use one of the sit on the floor models, and it was difficult to get really clean. Also, when we would go out to restaurants or even a friend's house, he would want the little potty. So, I would suggest starting with a seat on the big toilet so that your daughter isn't intimidated by it at other places. They even make fold-up versions to keep in your diaper bag. I think I saw it at ToysRUs and definitely at Burlington.

We just moved here from the south, also, and I'm glad to hear that spring will be so nice!

Hope this helps!
~A.
the Pampered Chef
www.pamperedchef.biz/amandablack

My daughter started using the potty around then. We got the potty and showed her where it was. She took an interest in it. We didn't push. She would pee in it at 18 mon, but not poop in it until about 2. If she is ready, she will do it. If not, return to it in a month or so. I had the small Fisher Price toilet in the bathroom. Also a Dora seat on the regular toilet.