Potty Training: It's All in the Timing

Potty training can be daunting for even the most confident parent. Many parents wonder at some point if their child will go off to kindergarten wearing diapers. The good news is that they most likely will be trained very easily as long as the time is right. If you follow a few simple guidelines to determine if your child is ready you are already halfway there.

A big mistake some parents make is comparing their child's development to that of the neighbors or other family members. Each child is different and will be ready to potty train on their own schedule. If they are three years of age and not trained there is no reason to panic. They will do it when they are ready. It is important to know that a child in the midst of a family upheaval such as moving or the birth of another child will not train well even if they show signs of readiness. Wait until the dust settles before proceeding.

If you push a child into potty training before they are ready you will only end up frustrated. Never push them if they are showing resistance or disinterest. If your child has dry diapers for long periods of time and have a bowel movement at the same time each day they may be ready to begin. A child should be able to remove their clothing on their own and they may be letting you know when they are going in their diaper.

Introduce the potty in a calm manner. All aspects of potty training should be treated calmly and positively. If your child senses tension or frustration from you they may resist and view using the potty as a negative. You can choose a free standing potty-chair or an attachable seat that fits over the top of your toilet. If you chose the attachable seat it is also a good idea to invest in a sturdy stool for them. This will help them climb up to the toilet and will also give them somewhere to rest their feet. This will help them feel most secure on the toilet.