You would think that after all of our scientific advancements that we would be able to master the task of potty training small children.
But of course, you would be wrong. Every child is so different. Even in my clan of four kids, every single child has responded to a different form of potty training. For one child, sticker charts were the key to a diaper-free existence, for another, she was proud just to do it on her own, and for another, we haven’t been able to move past naptime dryness, despite our best bribes—I mean, “attempts.” The point is, potty training can seem like a mystery, but luckily, there are a few signs to help us confused parents know if our child might be ready to start the potty training process.
The Smell of Their Poopy Diapers Is Making You Lose Your Mind
According my husband, a man who has successfully potty trained one of our four children completely on his own, this is the No. 1 way to know if your child is ready to potty train. Sick of changing diapers? The smell of your child’s bowel movement burning the flesh off your nostrils? The sight of diapers piling in every corner of your house sending you into a rage? You have crossed the threshold, my friend. Alternatively, your sign could come in the form of …
You Can't Stand to Spend a Single Dime on Another Diaper
They’re pricey, they take up tons of room, after a while they’re just annoying. All that money could be going toward her college fund. Just sayin’.
Your Child Shows an Interest in the Toilet
In all seriousness, when your child starts showing an interest in the toilet, use it to your advantage. Especially if you happen to have an open door policy in your house, either by choice or by your attempts to go pee without the toddler impaling themselves with a spatula (ahem), it might help you child to get curious about what’s going on in the toilet. If he or she wants to sit on the toilet, go with it! It can’t hurt, right?
Your Child Grabs at Their Diaper
If your toddler is suddenly turning out Michael Jackson-esque moves and grabbing their crotch before or after peeing or pooping, it’s a good sign that an awareness of that basic bodily function is developing. If they can tell you when they’re pooped or hide somewhere to go potty in their diaper, that’s another great sign that they’re becoming more aware and could be ready for the big transition.
Your Child Keeps His or Her Diaper Dry at Naptime
I’ve always used naptime as a good first step for potty training. A few of my children (the girls, mostly) showed an ability to keep their diaper dry at naptime with little encouragement from me and it was a good indicator that they were developing that crucial brain-bladder connection they needed to start potty training.
Your Child Shows Discomfort With a Dirty Diaper
I’ve never really understood how babies are cool with taking a crap in their pants and just chilling with it, but thankfully, that’s a skill they seem to outgrow. Much like your child will develop an awareness by gesturing to her diaper before she has to go to the bathroom, if you child appears uncomfortable after peeing or having a bowel movement in her diaper, consider that discomfort to your advantage. If they don’t like the feeling of a wet or dirty diaper, it may be a good motivation for them to start successfully potty training.
