Potty Training Made Easy: Follow This Method for a More Pleasant Potty Training Experience

Potty training is something that every parent will have to endure at least once. It can be trying and something that might be dreaded by most. There are many mixed messages floating around and everyone has their own ideas and methods. Many doctors will tell mom and dad that a toddler will train themselves when they are "ready." It is my personal belief that this is the biggest mistake that any parent can make. Waiting for your toddler to magically become "ready" can lead to a preschooler who still is not potty trained. Nobody wants that and it makes the child feel badly, as well.

The first thing that you must understand is that it's not the child who needs to be ready, but the parents. Many parents simply do not want to fool with potty training and procrastinate as long as possible on starting. This will do nothing more than cause problems and make the whole process even harder. Having successfully potty trained three children expediently; I feel that if parents approach this obstacle using these simple tips they will be pleasantly surprised.

Resolve yourself to the fact that potty training is going to be messy from time to time and definitely inconvenient. This is a temporary situation and it's best to just deal with these facts and move along. It is going to require a bit of effort on your part and is not something the child will automatically know how to do, so be prepared.

It all begins on the child's second birthday...not a day sooner or a day later. A child at this age is still very receptive to pleasing their parents and has not fully developed a mind and ideas of their own. Catching a child at this malleable age is paramount to a successful potty training experience. When at home during the day put the child in a tee-shirt that is a size too big so that it's like a short gown. Do not put training pants, pull-ups, or diapers on the child. Instead, allow him or her to run about the house freely with nothing to hinder them if they need to go. Be prepared for a mess or two, but remember that it will all be worth it in the end.