The name of this article should be 'are you' ready for potty training? There are several readiness indicators which I am going to share with you but if you, as the care giver, are not truly ready to be consistent about taking your child to the toilet on a regular schedule and are not ready for the inevitable accidents then it might be better to wait. Don't let someone else's time schedule dictate when you start this process with your child.

The age of the child matters less than readiness indicators, but on average a girl is ready around 2 years old and a boy may not be ready until he is closer to 3. There are always children who are ready at younger ages but they tend to be the exception not the rule.

It often takes six months or more after a child is potty trained before they are dry through the night and learning to use the toilet for urination is easier than for bowel movements.

Child Readiness Indicators:

Your child stays dry for long periods of time to include nap time but not necessarily night time.

Urinates and has bowel movements at fairly predictable times throughout the day.

Has demonstrated an interest in what others do on the toilet.

Has words for toilet functions.

Is able to dress as well as undress him or herself.

Often stops playing when wetting or having a bowel movement.

What Care givers Should Do:

Tell your child when you are using the bathroom. It is helpful but not necessary if the same sex parent takes the child with them when they use the toilet.

Read books about using the potty.

You can use a potty chair, if not you will need a stool in front of the toilet so your child can get up and down on his or her own.

Prior to starting you should change diapers as soon as they get wet so your child feels the difference between wet and dry.

Take them to pick out their big kid underwear.

Once you put them in underwear never put them back into diapers or pull ups. It is too confusing for your child. Diapers or pull ups at night are okay.

Take your child to the toilet at regular intervals.

Give verbal rewards for success.

Don't make a big deal about accidents.

It is often easier to start this process over a long weekend or anytime that you are spending an extended period at home. It is easier for a child to use a familiar toilet at first rather than having to go in a variety of places

It may also be difficult at first for them to use public bathrooms but with your reassurance they should be fine.

Be patient. Some children learn quickly and some take longer. If your child is having more than one or two accidents a day after two weeks, put them back in diapers and try again in a couple of months.