Potty-Training Overview

Potty training is a developmental skill your child cannot master until he is physically and mentally ready, however anxious you may be to have a "grown-up" child and be through with diapers. Actually, the process of potty training is perhaps more properly called potty learning, since your child teaches himself. Your part is to provide the setting and materials, a description of the methods used, and the necessary encouragement.

Among parents who keep close track of such events and brag a bit, the age at which their children were potty trained is almost as important as the age at which they slept through the night. Some studies show the average child is usually potty trained at about 30 months, but comparing your child with another is a waste of time; the differences among children in mastering this skill are vast. Girls are usually potty trained before boys of the same age, but a boy may be trained at age two and a girl not until age four.

The advantages of having a potty-trained child are obvious, and many parents consider starting training when their child is about the age of two, if the child seems ready. It's advisable to back off quickly, however, if your timing seems to be wrong. The self-esteem of a child who cannot yet succeed in this test of control suffers, and the anxiety engendered may lead to extended bed-wetting problems. In this article, we will answer your potty-training questions and offer you some potty-training tips over the following sections:

When to Potty Train a Child

There's a lot of debate around when you should potty train a child. Some parents take pride in having their child potty trained as soon as they possibly can. The truth is, pressuring your child to begin potty training before he is ready can only cause emotional pain and trauma that is completely unnecessary. In this section, we will show you how to read some of the signs that your child may be giving you that it is time to begin potty training.


How to Start Potty Training

Though your child might begin to display signs that he is ready to move on from diapers, this does not mean they are ready to embrace potty training. The concept might be strange or even scary to your child, and it is up to the parent to create an atmosphere that is encouraging and comfortable. On this page, we will offer some tips to make starting potty training easier. We will show when to begin toilet training, how you should arrange you time while training, and how you should prompt your child to go to the bathroom.


Potty-Training Problems

Potty-training accidents are bound to occur. Just like any of the new skills that your child will master over the years, toilet training takes patience and time. On this page, we will look at common potty-training problems and show you how to deal with them. Most accidents usually take place at night while the child is sleeping or when they are sick. However, in some cases, potty-training regression may have an emotional, instead of a physical, cause.