Potty Training Crunch Time

6/3/2008 | by Jennifer Shu

Parents know that preschool and potty training often go hand-in-hand. But what happens when preschool is on the horizon and your child still can’t use the potty on their own? As a pediatrician, I frequently see parents who find themselves having to meet a training deadline under pressure.

If you’ve tried to start the potty training process and aren’t seeing results, I recommend taking a step back and making sure your child is ready for the process.

Here are a few signs of potty-training readiness I tell parents to look for:

1).Your child wants to be trained:
  • Wants their wet diaper changed
  • Shows interest in the bathroom
  • Wants to wear “big kids” pants
2).Your child talks about training:
  • Indicates by words or body language that it’s time to go
  • Understands simple directions
3).Your child can act on it:

  • Stays dry for at least two hours
  • Can remove their pants and/or diaper
  • Can go to the potty and sit on it

Starting preschool (and completing the potty training process) can be nerve-racking at times for you and your child - I know it was for me when my almost 4-year-old showed no interest until he saw his classmates using the potty! Luckily for parents, there are many different resources to help make the process easier like Pull-Ups® with Easy Open Sides. They allow for quick and easy removal by parents for those times when it is needed – just in case.

With “potty training crunch time” on the horizon just remember to gather the tools you’ll need, stay positive and keep your child in a consistent potty routine. When your child is ready, they’ll master the task!

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