How do you know they are ready to start Potty Training?

The past week, Nina pulls off her diaper and yells "PeePee" We sit her on the toilet and she will stay there (her own free will) for 10 minutes, just talking, but doesn't go. She talks about it all the time but hasn't gone yet. Is she ready or does she just think its something fun?? I don't want to push her too early or put too much emphasis on it since I really dont mind changing diapers.

Re: How do you know they are ready to start Potty Training?

I did it the min she turned 2.
I wasnt sure if she was ready but seemed like the right time, and she was trained in 3 days.

With my moms help of course since she is with her throughout the day.

I dont we pushed her but she was very vocal and could say whether or not she needed to go.


ETA: I think its based on whether you are ready


Its one of those things that you have to be consistent with and can be tough.

Message edited 3/24/2010 10:14:51 AM.

Re: How do you know they are ready to start Potty Training?

I agree its more a quesiton if you are ready!

DS is 2 1/2 and he put his hand in his daiper for the first time the other day and pulled out some poop...i was like, AHHHH NO, this cannot happen again! We are on day 2 of potty training over here. Its hell, he just isn't getting it yet but I WILL NOT give up!!

Re: How do you know they are ready to start Potty Training?

DS started telling me he was wet or poopy---I talked to my ped and she said to wait until the baby was at least 8 weeks old, that way hopefully I was getting more rest and my 26 month old was not going thru too many changes at once. We are on day 3 and I will not lie, its not easy with the baby and no help, but he is starting to get it so that gives me hope!

ETA I also think the parent has to be ready to tackle it---for me, DS was showing signs of being ready, I saw a window we didn't have much going on and could focus on it and thats how I made my decision to start

Message edited 3/24/2010 2:27:33 PM.

Re: How do you know they are ready to start Potty Training?

I'm in potty training hell right now. We've been doing it since Elizabeth turned 2 and I think we could have made real progress... but then she got strep and I felt bad when she got upset for wetting herself.

And then she got pneumonia.

And then everything got crazy in my house and potty training was the least of my concerns.

And then we've had plans every weekend this month so we haven't had time to stay home to just focus on potty training. So she will tell me she needs to get changed AFTER she's done her business. She'll ask to sit on the potty or the toilet but won't do anything except hang out there... I think she's going to wear diapers to college.

Re: How do you know they are ready to start Potty Training?

Ryan has been going on the potty (actually peeing) 2-3x/day since he turned 18 months - but when I tried underpants I felt like I was torturing him. So, we continue to put him on the potty in the morning, and before bed and he goes - but far from trained.

Sounds like Nina is ready to give it a whirl. You'll know after the first day of underpants if she's just not ready - believe me

Re: How do you know they are ready to start Potty Training?

Who knows? I wish I could tell you! My son was going about once a day for almost a month, and I was gearing up for potty training, then he pooped on the floor and wanted nothing to do with the potty after that. So we bought a toilet seat for him, and he wanted nothing to do with that either. So I dropped it for awhile since he got very upset anytime I mentioned it. Then last week, he asked for his potty again, so maybe he's almost ready now.

I did read telling you there is pee or poo and asking to have a diaper changed is one sign. Showing interest in the toilet and other family members using it is another, and the ability to sit for any amount of time is another.

There is some time involved in this from what I understand also, and I may wait until the weather is a little warmer so he can run around in training pants or underwear.