Potty training can be an unpleasant task for any parent whether it is your first or your fourth child, it tends to be a chore for everyone involved. Getting your child to go from diapers to underwear has to be a mutual agreement. If your child is not ready for the “potty” then it will be close to impossible for you to get them potty trained. Each child is different, just because one of your children was potty trained by age 2 doesn’t mean all of them will be the same. Accessing each child’s needs individually will help you decide whether or not your child is ready to start “the training process.”

Here a list of things that will help you determine if your child is ready for toilet training:

Readiness Checklist—Is your child ready to start toilet training?

• Demonstrates the desire for independence and understands the concept of going to the bathroom like a grown-up

• Has regular, soft formed, bowel movements

• Pulls his or her pants up and down without assistance

• Imitates the bathroom habits of others (likes to accompany mom, dad and others to the bathroom)

• Physically demonstrates when he/she is having a bowel movement (sounds, grunting, pushing etc) or tells you he/she had one

• Uses words for stool and urine (poop, pee, etc)

• Understands the physical sensation—tells you before they go

• Doesn’t like having a wet or dirty diaper

• Can have a dry diaper for three or four hours

• Isn’t negative about sitting on or learning about the toilet

• Can walk and sit down

These items are helpful when trying to decide if your child is ready to “ditch the diapers.” You do not have to check off everything on the list in order to start toilet training. As a parent you can determine whether or not your child wants to start learning about the potty.

If you think your child is ready then here is are some helpful steps to get you on track: