Is Your Child Ready For Potty Training?
Potty Training is just one of the many major milestones your child will learn to conquer in his or her life. Potty training requires patience, but most importantly, knowing if your child is ready or not. Is your child ready? Are YOU ready?
How Do I Know If My Child Is Ready For Potty Training?
There is no specific age for being ready to start potty training. However, most toddlers develop the necessary mental and physical skills anywhere between 18-24 months. While some toddlers might not be ready until the ages of 3 and 4. Typically, many parents don't start potty training until their child(ren) is between the ages of 2 and 3 years. It’s important to only start potty training when both of you are ready. Usually, at this stage, daytime bladder control has become more reliable. The child will tend to give you signs when he or she is ready to be potty trained. It's important that you can devote the time and energy necessary to encourage your child daily.
Some Signs Your Child Could Be Ready To Potty Train
They show interest in the potty
They can understand and follow basic directions
They signal a wet or soiled diaper
If they say they want to go on the potty
They stay dry for periods of 2 hours or longer during the day
They wake up from naps with a dry diaper
Planning and Preparing your child for potty training
It is important to have a plan before the training process. Deciding how and when to start, how to handle accidents, success, when to back off, and so on.
There's no way to know for sure how your child will respond—keeping in mind that as with most developmental milestones, success takes patience and time. Once a strategy is in place, be sure everyone else who cares for your child is on board as well. Mastering the various potty training steps can take time, so expect the unexpected setbacks and other challenges.
Here are some helpful steps that may help your child:
If you choose to use a potty chair, have your child help pick out a new one. Allow them to become familiar with it.
Place the potty chair where your child can get to it quickly and easily.
Have them wear clothing that can easily be pulled up and down.
Be sure to have lots of training pants or underwear handy.
Invest in extra outfits. Especially when traveling away from home.
When outside the home, have your toddler sit on the potty and “try” to go before leaving. The same applies when you first arrive somewhere.
How long will it take until my child is potty trained?
Every child is different. It could take up to 3-6 months before your toddler is completely potty trained. Positive reinforcement and praise will help your toddler want to succeed with their milestone.
Don’t get stuck in the comparison game! It can be super stressful if you're ready, but your child isn't. Maybe they just don't get it yet--and that is fine! If they're struggling and your frustration levels are off the charts, maybe it's time to take a break and try again later. From families who start right from birth to all ages afterward, kids are ready when they're ready. Let your little ones take their time! The best things aren't rushed...like potty training!
