Is it Time for Potty Training Yet?

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[media-credit name=”deviatart.com” align=”aligncenter” width=”375″][/media-credit]Potty training; there is something about that phrase that suddenly makes parents tired. It takes a lot of time and commitment to get your toddler to start using the potty, yet that excitement and feeling of accomplishment when he finally does something inside the potty is undeniable.

In Nigeria there is a lot of pressure on kids to be potty trained early. By the time you baby starts walking, even if she’s not yet one year old, there will be well-meaning people (read: busybodies) who will look at you with condescendingly and then ask why the child is still in diapers. And the grandmas too have a way of making you feel like you’re doing something wrong simply because your two year old is still in diapers.

Many modern mums are beginning to find out that potty training a child too early is not good for that child and there is no universal age for potty training. While with some toddlers 18 to 24 months is typical, others may not be ready until closer to 3 or even later. What is most important is if the child shows signs emotionally and developmentally that he or she is ready.

When a child knows that it’s time to go to the bathroom and can use the toilet with little or no help, then that child is toilet trained. Most children get potty trained before they get toilet trained, but if the child screams and protests each time you put him on the potty, then it’s time to ease up a little. You can try again later. Learn to shower them with praises whenever they get to the potty on time. And if they don’t, encourage them and let them know it’s okay too.

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How to know when your toddler is ready

Your toddler will let you know when she is emotionally ready for potty training. These are some signs to look out for:

• He tells you when his or her diaper is dirty and ask to have it changed.
• She says that she wants to use the toilet.
• He protests anytime you put on diapers for him and prefers underwear instead.
• Her diapers are dry even after waking from a nap.
• He makes facial expressions, grunting, or squatting to show awareness that he is passing urine or stool.
• She holds your hand and leads you to the toilet.

Advantages of potty training

No doubt there are several advantages of potty training and some of them include:

Financial Savings: Things are not always easy financially for most of us and where there’s a toddler and a baby in the house, spending on diapers can be tough. Having the toddler potty trained cuts down significantly on the money spent for diapers.

Learning Opportunities: Some preschools and early learning programs admit children that are fully toilet trained, so having your child potty trained makes it easier to send the child to school.

Potty Training Apps

There are several potty training apps both on the iStore if you us an iPhone or an iPad, and the Google Play Store for those with android devices. These offer tips and can guide you through the potty training years. Some of these apps are free while others are paid, but be sure to read the reviews before you download.

 

 

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