Potty Training - West Jordan,UT

I am a firm believer that potty training is easier if you start at 2, I have found if you try any earlier it backfires, they are just to young, they don't have the skills verbally or mentally to communicate there bodies needs. But 2 is just right, they can communicate better and are better to understand the functions of there body. So I do think that 18 months is a little too young but you could start introducing him to the potty around 21 months, get him used to sitting on it w/ no pressure, basically making it as much fun for him as possible so that when it is time to potty train he will be comfortable with the potty chair, I happen to agree that three is to old, then it becomes a power struggle w/ your child and they almost always win, I know that that isn’t a popular belief but I have lived it and discovered it with my 7 kids.

Hi Tasha,
I have been working with toddler's for over twenty years now and I can tell you a thing or two about this first hand, I have been right behind many little tykes when they succeeded, and the first one would be: Do not force them, let it be their decision. Forcing them just makes the process alot longer. You take them to the store to pick out their own new underwear and then it only takes a couple of times having an accident before they get the hang of it. But their is 7 signs they need to meet before you even start. When they have an accident do not scold or show disappointment, just say uh oh, it was just an accident, you can try again next time. When they do succeed and get it in the potty, internalize their success for them. I know that you want to jump up and down and hoop and holler but contain it, they have little control over alot of things in their life, this needs to be their accomplishment and idea, so to internalize it, when they do it, you say to them (calmy) wow! how does that make you feel? You put your Poop and Pee in the potty, that is yours isn't it? Another thing I do is I have them sit on the potty backwards so that they feel more secure sitting and they see the BM and urine leave their body which is another internal cue for them. The reason why it is called Potty Training is because the parent is trained to ask if they have to go incesently, and that is a drain on their little self esteem, I know that none of us would want to be asked over and over again or lead in there every hour or so, it's humiliating for them, think about it from their perspective, so if you are reminding him/her or taking them in all the time you are training yourself and humiliating them. We do not give these intelligent little people the credit they deserve, their biggest wish it to please you as a parent so why wouldn't they do it on their own when they are ready, instead of being made to. I do not know if you are familiar with Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, but he has a book called,"Toilet training the Brazelton way" and in his book he has the seven signs to watch for readiness in your child that I mentioned and his philosophy is the one I adopted and I can promise you that it has worked for my children and for countless children in my care for years.
Best of luck in whatever you decide.
These are the beautiful years. (Poop and all)
J. P.

We love Toilet Training in Less Than a Day by Azrin. I don't remember the first name. I have several friends who love it, one who's done it with 5 kids. We took it a little slower and did it in 3 days with our first. So far, I haven't had a quiet day to do it, but I do have it on the calendar for our 21 mo old. GL!

Every Mom and every toddler is different, if your ready to give it a try then nothing is lost in trying! Just don't pressure the issue if it doesnt work out.. if it dose then awesome! My daughter basically potty trained herself at one year old it was great! And if your going to be doing head start around three its really better to be working on it before she starts. I worked at a head start and it was much harder for us and the kids when someone wasn't potty trained. (however, we did support the family and help them with the potty training to make it as easy as possible for all of them to have them in head start and potty training at the same time..on the other hand we asked that the parents start a schedule to work on the potty training right away and supported the same schedule at school..) Anyway this is a long winded way to say only you and your daughter will know if the time is right :)
Good Luck!
S.