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Just the thought of potty training can make parents cringe. Potty training can be as much of a challenge for the parent as well as the child. How do you know when a child is ready to begin potty training? Well, years ago, parents swore by the two year old rule. Thus, it was set in stone that a child was ready, willing, and able to begin "pottying" at the age of two. However, the age a child is ready is an unknown variable-not an exact science. It can vary drastically from child to child. There are several clues to let one in on whether or not a child is ready to potty train. Trying to force a child that is not ready will only make him/her more resistant. Here are some tips and tricks to help along the way:

1. Self training-One clue that a child is ready to potty train is a no brainer-they want to go on their own. They take interest in the potty and what others are doing on or in the potty. They may pull off their diaper as soon as it is wet, or they make take it off with hopes of not soiling it at all. Eventually, the child figures out that it feels icky to be wet. Some children even potty train themselves altogether. Don't get your hopes up for self-training. It usually takes a little more effort.

2. Waking up dry-Another clue a child is ready to potty train is waking up dry. At some point, most children will start developing better bladder control. This is usually a good time to begin easing into toilet training. A tip-when the child wakes up dry, immediately sit them on the potty. They will usually go "pee" right after waking. Another tip once bladder control begins to develop, is to take them to go potty within ten minutes or so after drinking. A child will usually go "pee" within ten minutes or so after drinking. Be persistent and consistent. Do these things every morning(even if the child doesn't wake up dry) and after drinks.

3. Public potty chaos-If you are going to go out in public, this can be quite tricky too. Take the child to go potty before getting into the car. Take the child as soon as you reach the store and also before you leave also. I know this sounds redundant and the child will not go this many times. However, this will help with the child getting in the habit of going. This falls along with the being persistent and consistent thing. Eventually, the child will learn.

4. Monitor when, where and how much your child drinks-Another tip to help the parent and child along with potty training is to try to limit constant drinking or cup carrying. Many children are used to carrying a sippie cup around constantly. If its not the dead heat of the summer, there is no need for a child to drink all day and night long. Set times for drinks, such as with meals and snacks only. Offer only a drink of water at bedtime. It is alot less appetizing than a gutbuster sippie of milk at bedtime and during the night. Offer only a drink of water during the night. Regulating drinks will makes it easier to time when to take the child potty until the child learns his/her own body signals to tell him/her when to go.

If the parent or caregiver is patient, persistent, and consistent the child will eventually learn to go potty(in the potty). Don't expect miracles right away. It make take some children a couple weeks. It may take some children a couple months. Parents must remember that each child is different, and the time isn't set in stone. It's not set in stone-and that is O.K. We all want our children to be unique in their own special way.

Learn more about this author, Betty Mayes.
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