Stress-Free Potty Training

Successful potty-training starts with understanding a child’s individual personality. Stress-Free Potty Training, offers thoughtful planning and effective communication techniques to help parents tailor their training techniques and avoid stress during this major milestone of their child's life. Written with Dr. Pete Stavinoha, a pediatric neuropsychologist at Children's Medical Center Dallas.

Check it out today: www.StressFreePottyTraining.com

New & Notable: "The Real Parenting Show with Dr. Pete & Sara" podcast via the Parents Everywhere Network. Straightforward advice and practical tips for real parents raising real kids in the real world. www.TheRealParentingShow.com or check us out on iTunes!

Is Your Child Ready For Potty Training

Most children show an interest in learning to potty between the ages of 18-36months. Yet every child is different. If you ask your friends, you'll hear every story under the sun from, "My daughter trained herself at 22 months," to "My five year old still won't poop on the potty."

As a parent you want to remain calm and know that your developmentally skillful child will surely be using the potty by elementary school so don't freak out:). One thing I wish someone had told me before I introduced the potty to our children was that many children pee train before they poop train. No challenge, it will all come in time. Breathe, relax.

Let's begin with signs you child might be ready.

Cognitive Signs

Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
Has words for pee and poop.
Has awareness that pee or poop are coming out.
Feels the urge to pee or poop.
Can communicate that urge.

Behavioral Signs

Shows interest in other people using the potty.
Wants to look at or watch people going potty.
Gives a verbal noiuse or sign that she is pottying such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
Demonstrates a desire for independence.
Takes pride in her accomplishments.
Seems eager to use the potty.

Physical Signs

Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
Can pull his pants up and down.
Does not like the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
Wants the dirty diaper to come off.
Takes the dirty diaper off himself.
Can walk and run with relative ease.
Can hold her pee for three-four hours or more (this shows bladder control)
Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.

Next we'll take a look at introducing pottying to your "potty-ready" child.