Potty Training Time
It seems that in this fast-paced world of ours parents are always in a rush to get their kids out of diapers. Unfortunately it is not the parent who decides when a child is ready to potty train, it is the child himself. If you rush the process it generally tends to backfire and take a lot longer to succeed.
Generally kids are physically and mentally ready to potty train around 18-24 months old. You will begin to see signs that your child is ready. They will start to be interested in the toilet and will want to know what you are doing on it. Some kids will sit on the seat and pretend to use the toilet just like an adult.
At some point your child will begin to tell you when his diaper is wet or dirty. Not long afterwards they might even begin to tell you while they are going or maybe even just before they go. Generally at this time your child will be irritated when his diaper is soiled and will tend to stay dry for a few hours at a time. These are excellent signs of a child being ready to begin toilet training.
Another important sign is when your child can pull his own pants up and down. This is made easier with pants that are a little on the large side. He may also show interest in big kid's underwear and ask to get some.
At this point introduce your child to using the potty. Take him out and select a potty seat that catches his interest. Find some books or DVDs about potty training and share them with your child. Make the process interesting and build some excitement.
You can also start to teach him the basic steps of using the toilet including taking off his pants and underwear, sitting on the toilet, going to the bathroom, wiping, pulling up his clothes, flushing and washing his hands.
When you are ready to begin, start giving your child extra fluids during the day. Begin taking your child to the bathroom every half hour to get him to practice using the toilet, and hopefully have a successful effort. Take your time while he is on the seat possibly reading a short story or singing a song. When he finally goes be sure to praise him thoroughly and make a big deal about it.
By making sure your child is ready to begin toilet training and taking your time with the process you will increase the chances that your efforts will be successful. Remember that your child is the one who must put the effort into the actual toileting, so make sure that he is enthusiastic about the process. Keep things positive and in the long run your will have a child who uses the toilet and no more diapers to change.