How do you know when your child is ready to Potty Train??

What is the average age??

Re: How do you know when your child is ready to Potty Train??

My son was 2 years, 11 months. My daughter was just shy of 2 1/2. It depends on the child really. I had no luck with trying to potty train them when I wanted to but when I waited until they showed the interest in it, they both trained pretty quickly.

Re: How do you know when your child is ready to Potty Train??

my older son waas 18 months, my 4 year old is still not trained which is a slight problem for me. He pees just doesnt want to poop on the potty

Re: How do you know when your child is ready to Potty Train??

I agree with waiting until they are ready/showing interest. My son started when he was 3 and was completely trained by 3 1/2.

Re: How do you know when your child is ready to Potty Train??

What exactly is showing interest?? Should I buy a potty for him to keep in the house? Or will he show interest in using the regular toilet?

Re: How do you know when your child is ready to Potty Train??

I didn't even use the portable potty, I got a seat that just went over the big potty, that way I didn't have to re-train him on the big potty.
I knew he was getting ready when he would tell me if his diaper was wet and want to be changed - when he would run and hide when he went #2.
I started using pull-ups - IE: big boy pants, thats what we called them, and very quickly he stopped going in them because he didn't want to ruin them. Then we went to regular underwear and pull ups at night. It was a faily quick process. (aside from the night time, which took a little longer for him to get control over that)

Re: How do you know when your child is ready to Potty Train??

Well I bought a potty on his 2nd birthday and he used it once or twice and then refused. So his daycare teacher told me he would let me know when he is ready. He's 3 now and tells me when he has to go and asks to use the potty(the big one)but when you bring him in he says no and goes in his diaper. Im hoping this changes soon. They told me he's used the potty here and there in school too but not on a constant basis.

Re: How do you know when your child is ready to Potty Train??

Here are some things to look for

Common signs of toilet training readiness:


Your child has bowel movements at about the same time every day.
Your child can stay dry for a few hours, or wakes up from sleep dry.
Your child knows that he/she has to go to the bathroom
Your child understands the association between dry pants and using the potty.
Your child lets you know when he/she has wet or soiled her diapers.
Your child can pull his/her pants up and down.
Your child can follow simple directions like "lets go to the potty."
Your child understands what "pee, poop, dry, wet, clean, dirty and potty" mean.
Your child can tell you he/she has to go to the bathroom.
Your child imitates other members of the family.
Your child watches you on the toilet and asks questions.
Your child wants to do things by herself/himself.
Your child enjoys washing his/her hands.
Your child gets upset if his/her belongings are not in their proper place.
Your child wants to please you.