Opinions? - Stoystown,PA

A.,
You are a very bright young lady. It sounds like you are a very young mother, who is responsible and respectful. I am glad you have the support of your mom and are willing to listen to her.
Potty training usually starts close to the second birthday.Some kids, esp. girls can start earlier. My daughter was trained by 18 mos. It only took a week. My son was 2. Two other sons were 3 and one was 4 before being completely trained although he had trouble with constipation.Kids usually give you signs that they are ready to learn.
Keep up the good work, A.!
S.

you sound so sweet. but it's not an opinion - it's a fact. talking on the phone and or texting while driving is dangerous, ignorant, and kills people.

i agree with the no texting and driving law. Potty training really starts if the child shows readiness, interest in the potty taking off diaper etc. congrats on your permit.

I tried texting while driving for the first time a few weeks ago, just to see if it was as bad as people say. It's WORSE than I ever imagined, and I'm really the type of person who can handle just about anything. I would ONLY text now if I were at a red light, or if I were to pull into a parking lot for a moment.

I was a very good teen driver, but even I had difficulties focusing when I had other people in the car. I can't imagine how much more distracting it would be to be a teen with a cell phone (and in your case, a baby, who can also be a big distraction.) I've run 2 red lights in my life--both were when I was a teen driver and had a car full of friends, headed to the Mall of America. VERY dangerous!

I know that's a bit off topic for your post, but just something to keep in mind for when you start driving. Try to limit your passengers until you have a ton of experience behind the wheel. Definitely do not use a handheld cell while driving, and don't even THINK about texting while the car is in motion! What a mature 15 year old you are!

I don't think talking on a cell phone is anymore distracting that listening to the radio, talking to someone in the car or a child throwing a fit behind you. Although I do think if you need to talk the hands free option is better. For texting I thought it was a joke when I 1st heard people were doing it but then again some people are really stupid. I do think common sense needs to be used.

As for potty training the child has to show they are ready and that starts by being able to take off and put on their out clothing. Then you go from there, the child has to be able to recognize they need to go .

To answer the question about your daughter, wait until she is ready and is giving you signs of wanting to potty train. Our daughter is 25 months, and is nowhere near being interested or ready. Girls tend to train earlier than boys generally speaking.

As far as the texting, I think most people should just pay attention to driving. I started a post yesterday about bad drivers, and it was really interesting to see people's responses. No one said they were uncomfortable, though one clearly didn't know the rules of the road and is likely a really bad driver.

Just like anything else, some people are good drivers, some are not. I don't think people really learn to be good drivers and to pay attention. So, most people should NOT text/talk on their cell phones and drive.

Teenagers definitely should not, nor should either one of my parents who are much poorer drivers now than they were when I was growing-up.

Does that mean that I can't text my husband, while stopped for an accident or stuck in traffic to let him know I'm going to be late? I think people just need to use common sense, and I don't feel most people do when driving.

I think the phone should be turned off or put on silent before the car is turned on, and the car should be turned off before turning the phone on or checking for messages. I've seen too many people weaving down the road like they were drunk only to pass them and the phone is glued to their ear. I actually saw a woman with her kids in the car land her vehicle in a 6 ft deep ditch and took out at least 3 mailboxes because of her talking on the phone while driving. Fortunately no one was hurt (all were badly shaken - the kids (pre-teens) were all crying in shock), but the car was totaled. It's not worth dying (or killing anyone else) for.
As for potty training - it can take awhile. The child has got to want to, and be physically able to tell when they need to go. Sometimes the maturity is just not there until they are a bit older and trying to force it before they are ready is just going to drive you (and them) crazy. Girls are typically day trained at between 2 and 3. Boys between 3 and 4. Night training can take till they are 6, 7 or even 8 yrs old. Be patient - no child goes off to collage still wearing pull ups.

Talking on the cell and texting should be illegal everywhere while driving.

As for PTing, it's never too early! Just don't set your expectations. You can start by introducing it then putting her on once a day at a set time and then go from there. If she seems interested push on but if she's resisting back off. I have 3 PTed boys and I think the biggest mistake I did was not to introduce it early and then when I did I had this expectation they'd be trained in a few weeks! It's a long process but if you make it stress-free it's OK!

Ok so I am going to be completely honest. I used to do it all the time. In fact I look back and I can't honestly say 98% of the time, when I was in the car I was on the phone in some way (yes even when I was pregnant). So then they banned cell phones in California. You have to have a hands-free device. I tried them, but none are comfortable to me. So when I get a call in the car, I flip the phone open, leave it on the passanger seat and talk through speaker phone. Then in California they banned texting. Well I was so afraid of getting caught I stopped. The other day I was trying to send a message to my boyfriend through text, it was sort of urgent but I couldnt call him at work. I had to pull over to text. It's amazing when you stop doing something you realize how hard it was and that your attention really wasn't on the road. So my thought now is, I will continue to talk through the speaker phone function if I get a call, and both my hands stay on the wheel. If I need to text I will definately pull over!
And I am starting to potty train at 16 months now. She showed interest in it which is why I started. =) Good Luck!
I also wanted to add a big congrats on taking your permit! Its such an exciting thing! Good Luck on the test!

Hi A.,

Generally, I agree with you. Nothing is more important than safety and I feel that more strongly than ever since I had my daughter. But I will also say that there are times when it is really convenient to order a pizza times to arrive with when I am late getting home or when it's necessary to notify someone that I am running late. So I try to limit my phone time to very short calls and only do so with my bluetooth headset. And I NEVER text while driving!

As far as potty training, it isn't really about when you want to start, it's about when you child is physically and psychologically ready. Some kids are ready sooner rather than later. You can plant the seeds - get a potty seat, some books, DVDs, etc. but you can force them to grow, so to speak. When your daughter is ready, she will start showing interest. And it is very common for kids to show interest and then lose interest for a couple of months or longer. My dd showed interest at about 15 months, went a couple of times in the potty, but didn't actually train until about 32 months.

HTH,

C.

Texing (ive done it) should be illegal. Talking blue tooth, if in the car. but a phone can be just as distrcting as a radio or changing the CD. as for potty training, my oldest was 20 months when she potty trained. my little one was 26 months. it just depends when they are ready i think. Hm, I was no real help. Good luck on your driving test.