How to Potty-Train Your Toddler
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By Gail O’Connor
You have the training pants, a potty chair and a pack of motivational stickers. The only thing missing: a child who wants to toilet-train. Sure, we’ve all met a mom who boasts that her child hopped on the potty once, bid diapers farewell and never looked back. For most of us, though, nixing the nappies takes time and patience (and a lot of laundry detergent).
The good news: Whether your child trains early or late has little reflection on him (or you!). “Many parents see toilet training as an important thing for children to do early,” says Mark Wolraich, M.D., editor in chief of the American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Toilet Training (Bantam Books, 2003). “Yet there’s little evidence that training early or late refl ects on the abilities of the child.”
Ideally, toilet training should be as stress-free as humanly possible. “It’s an exciting developmental step for children, and it’s exciting for parents to enable the process and make it an enjoyable one,” adds Wolraich. Of course, it’s hard for many parents in the trenches of toilet training to see it this way. But with a few smart strategies, you can avoid a drawn-out battle of wills and enjoy your soon-to-be-trained toddler’s sense of accomplishment.
Just gotta try this Creamy Avocado Dip recipe via Momables.com - love how you can spread it on a sandwich in lieu of Mayo! 
Comment by Phyllis Herbert on Apr 15 2009 01:25:41:
I’ve started the Potty Training process a few months ago but it was apparent I was ready but my son was not. However, he recently started telling me when he has gone, so I consider that progress. I thank the authors of this article because it’s reassuring to know that I’m doing the right thing and all I really need is to be patient.
Pingback by When To Start Potty Training – Signals To Help You Decide When To Start Potty Training | The Secrets for Potty Training Toddlers Revealed and Exposed on Jul 16 2009 07:10:59:
[...] How to Potty-Train Your Toddler [...]
Comment by Johanna on Jun 14 2011 05:56:26:
Once in awhile I have to remind myself that I can’t force my son to move forward. When his ready, he will let me know.
Comment by Tiffany on Oct 04 2011 02:51:43:
I do have a question my son will be 2 in dec on some days he use the potty all day and on other days he doesn’t want to use it at all. what do i do? he tells me when he want to go and on days he doesn’t say anything i ask and he tells me no should i still make him try or jsut let him go with how he feels?