How do you know your toddler is ready to potty train? Sometimes, they will walk up to you and let you know, but for most of us, we’re stuck trying to figure out if it is worth the effort to try now, or if we should wait a few more months. There are so many potty training methods to choose from, but all the research on all the different ways to do it won’t matter if the timing is not right.
While every child is different, there are some readiness signs that apply to most kiddos to make potty training an easier less stressful time of life.
- Personal Awareness – If your child still doesn’t seem to notice or care when their diaper is wet, it’s likely that they aren’t quite aware enough to begin using the potty on their own just yet. You want to watch for that awareness and desire to be dry and clean, as this is one of the top signs that the child understands there is something going on down there and can start learning about how to make it to the potty in time.
- Climb on the potty – While they do make some adorable toddler-size potties, that doesn’t help when you are out in public. Also, am I the only one grossed out by having to clean that little potty cup thing? Gross. Even if they need a little stool, it’s so much easier to train when they are able (and not terrified) to climb up on the regular potty themselves.
- Be More Patient – A child’s patience isn’t normally something that’s talked about in relation to toilet training, but I think it’s an important piece. The child needs to have some level of understanding about waiting in order to be able to stop something fun to rush to the potty, instead of just going in the underwear.
- General speech – The ability to clearly communicate the need to use the restroom. It’s not uncommon for young toddlers to still fuss for a lot of things, simply because they can’t find the right words to say in a specific situation. Not being able to quickly differentiate between an “I want a snack” fuss with an “I need to go potty” fuss can get messy fast! Learning words like “potty” and when to use them, is definitely a skill that’s essential before the great potty training adventure begins!
How did you know your kids were ready to potty train?
When you are ready to start that journey, be sure to check out these awesome potty training essentials to make the stage of life SO much easier!
I also highly recommend this potty training book! Click the image below to check it out for yourself.
Jennifer Dougan says
Hi Paula,
It’s nice to stop by here again. It looks like you redesigned your website. :) Congratulations. :)
How is potty-training going? I remember that stage. My youngest is 5 and out of that now, although bedtimes are not there yet. He is such a sweet guy.
Have a great week,
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Kassi @ Truly Lovely says
Oh I can only imagine the days of no more diapers!! But you’ve been there done that I’m sure second time will be even easier!
Christi says
I am curious if anyone has any potty training advice for me. My just-turned two year old has been very consistently telling me when she has to pee and initiating sitting on the potty to do so. However, she either can’t or won’t tell me when she has to poop. It is very annoying to take her diaper off and on every time we go to the potty and pulling down a pull-up with poop in it is quite messy. She used to tell me as soon as she had pooped, wanting to be changed, but she has stopped doing this lately. I have tried doing the underwear method of training, but I just wind up cleaning up a lot of poopy messes. I don’t scold her or discipline her in any way when she doesn’t poop in the potty, I just remind her that poop goes in the potty. My thought is that she just isn’t ready yet (which is fine), but she is the one initiating peeing on the potty. Any thoughts?
Liarna says
Hi Christi, my eldest son was exactly the same. He would pee on the toilet but not poo. It just took some time. He ended up using one of those toddler pottys instead of the toilet but we got there. 2 is fairly young… He wasn’t ready until nearly 3 but within a few days it all just happened!!! I think something just clicks and they decide that’s what they want now!!!
Rachael says
2 is actually older than the world average. In the US, the average age is nearly 36 months old to potty train. Everywhere else in the world, the average for potty training completion is 1.5 years. It’s disposable diapers and the “wait until their ready” propaganda that has more than doubled the US average potty training age.
Rachael says
If you’re ready to commit to making a lifestyle change… i.e. NO MORE DIAPERS… do just that. Get some cloth trainers, and do some diaper free time so you can watch your child’s body language when she has to go poop. Keep a potty in the room that you’re in so you can quickly get her to the potty and say, “You’re going poop. This is where you sit to go poop. We don’t go poop in our pants anymore.” Simple. To the point.