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Is Your Child Ready For The Potty This Year?

News Canada

(NC)-As the calendar turns to yet another new year, many of us are looking to accomplish a new milestone. For some parents, this means shedding their toddler's diapers and accomplishing the challenging process of potty training. But how do you know if your child is ready to potty train and where do you start?

"There is no perfect age to start potty training your child," says Jen Singer, author of 14 Hours 'Til Bedtime and a Pull-Ups Potty Training Partner. "All toddlers develop and train differently, but most start to show an interest between the ages of 18 and 48 months. You should watch for signs of readiness around this time."

Watch for the signs

If your child shows two or more of the following signs of readiness, it's time to start potty training:

. Has dry periods for two hours or during a nap

. Wants their wet or soiled diapers changed

. Understands and cooperates with simple directions

. Is interested in the toilet or bathroom

. Indicates the need to go potty with words, posture or facial expressions

. Wants to wear training pants or underwear

Tools of the trade

When it looks like "all systems go" for your child, start gathering up the essential tools:

. When it comes to using the toilet, it's best to start small. Potty chairs are best for most kids, but a potty seat for the big toilet can work with a little assistance and a stepstool.

. Rewards and praise can work wonders. Find what motivates your child-a favorite treat, small prizes, a fun progress, a phone call to a grandparent, and of course, high-fives and hugs.

. Training pants are a great way to introduce potty training and help keep your child motivated to become a Big Kid.

. Potty training books and videos are a great way to introduce your child to potty training and help him or her stay interested.

Are we there yet?

Potty training takes an average of eight months, but it's important to remember that every child is different. One child can take one month, another might take up to a year. Just remember, there is light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, 80 percent of boys and girls are completely trained by three and a half years old. With a little patience and consistency, your child can be a Big Kid by the time the snow melts!

For tips, advice, and fun toddler rewards, visit www.pull-ups.com.

Comments

6 Comments
Comment Pages: 1 2

CAV_Mod	Fri, Mar 17, 2006 5:42pm What are your tips and tricks for potty training? Would you believe that in China they actually potty train children by the time they are one year old! Yes, they have them sit in potty chairs and the child is trained by one year of age. What do you think? Too young? Should we just let kids tell us when they are ready?

amandale	Tue, Aug 19, 2008 5:58pm I am going to try the 3 day potty training with Nhi within the next few months- she pulls at her diaper and comes up to me and wants me to change her after she goes- she has almost all the "readiness signs" so wish me luck! LOL has anyone else tried this 3 day method?

maia	Thu, May 24, 2007 11:39am I potty trained my son in just a day! My son is 2 1/2 years old & he was using pull-ups for almost a year.At 2 years old I started to put him on his potty but he doesnt want it & like it. I bought an ebook about potty training in just 4-6 hours & it really works.Just be patient & you really need to give a full day to your little one while on their training. And one thing that my son train so fast was he doesnt like the design of his new pull-ups & everytime I changed his diaper I said yucky..... So now hes completely graduate from diaper...

Mommy20	Sat, Jan 20, 2007 7:30pm Mine she is 16 months & cant see her potty training any time soon. I think she'll be 2 & a half maybe till 3 & most babies its that time. Unless you try to push them which most times don't work.

mom2bria	Thu, Jun 22, 2006 10:48am I am started to potty train brianna now..just gettin her use to the idea of a potty..im not in any hurry for her to learn..but if she can learn by the time she is 2 that would be great.plus she likes to do everything like a big girl..so im thinking she will like the idea of sitting and learning to go potty......so we will see..