When do you know it’s time to start potty training?
I’m quickly learning that while cliché it’s true: kids grow up in the blink of an eye. Every time I turn around, Bubbles has mastered some new skill or learned something new that surprises me. Just the other day she was in the bathroom with me while I was getting ready and instead of wedging her finger between the crack of the door and the frame to pry it open, she stretched up and pulled it open using the knob. She turned and looked at me as if to say “Yep, I’m a big girl now.”
Last week she also decided she was a big girl and didn’t want to wear a silly diaper any more. She’ll wiggle out of her shorts and then come up to my husband or I, tugging at her diaper. We explained that she had to wear a diaper until she could learn to go potty, and she immediately tore down the hallway until she reached the bathroom and stood there pointing at the door like “well, then, let’s do this.”
So we took her in, held her on the potty and let her sit there for a minute. She didn’t actually go, but she had a very proud look on her face, and then turned around, flushed the toilet, and applauded for herself. Over the next couple of days, she’d occasionally do the same thing. After that, she kind of seemed to get bored with it, so we dropped it for the moment. We don’t want to push her into something she’s not ready for, and then turn it into a negative instead of a positive.
Over the past couple of days she’s back to trying to pull her diaper off, however, so I think we’re going to order her a potty seat and start taking her in the bathroom in the morning when she gets up and see what happens. Most nights she wakes up with a dry diaper, so I think that’s a good sign? I know girls generally train younger than boys do, but I’m still not sure if 18 months is too young to start.
I’d love to get some feedback from you all! What age did your child start potty training, and do you have any potty training advice to share?
About Liza
Liza is a mom (5-year-old daughter, 20-year-old stepson, and 24-year-old stepdaughter) and wife living in Louisville. She loves spending time with her family, visiting the local zoo and parks, as well as planning travel adventures. Cooking and baking, DIY projects and crafts, and coffee - lots and lots of coffee - round out some of her other hobbies.
Sounds like she’s ready! I’m in a similar boat right now in that my son shows signs that he’s ready, but he’s also set on destroying the bathroom and plugging the toilet with paper and toys… so I can’t let him run free… delicate balance – good luck!
My son is showing some signs now and I’m so nervous! I will checking back to see what other people say!
My daughter started showing interest at 2 years and then mastered #1 at 2.5 years. She turned 3 today and we’re still working on the #2 portion of that! I know some moms had their kids trained by the time they were walking but I decided after my first failure at training to let things happen on her schedule.
It sounds like it’s time to start. They grow up way too fast!
My daughter was 3.5 years old. It took forever- no suggestions here!
We bought our Princess a potty chair at 18months. She wasn’t ready yet, but loved sitting on it and pretending. It was also a step stool so very useful. Our Princess was not actually going regularly until she was 2. I tried working with her and using rewards, but when she was ready – she was ready.
I have four. Each one was different. My oldest was 4 when he potty trained. His sister was 14 months old, fully fluent, and said “I’m going to the potty from now on” and hasn’t had an accident since. The other daughter was 3 and my last son was also 3. My experience is that they are ready when they can sit down themselves every time they need to go. Before that they either get frustrated or bored
It sounds like she’s ready to me. But she is really young so be prepared that it may take longer than if you waited until she’s a little older.
My kids all potty-trained around 2.5-3 years. When they show interest in what we’re doing, annoyance with their diapers, etc. – that’s all good signs that they may be ready!
Good luck!
I agree that it sounds like she is ready. Though I’ll add that even once mine were “trained” at a young age, they backslid now and then. It’s not over til it’s over
It sounds like she is on her way. My son was almost four before he was completely potty trained and that was mostly because he had a hard time with number 2. It sounds like our girls are on the same track and off to a good start. Another good gauge for readiness is if they can pull their pants up and down by themselves. Good luck, mama!
I started when my daughter was just over 2 years old but honestly it too forever…more like a battle of the wills! I wanted her to do it and she didn’t want to!! When she was ready she got it! My best advice would be to be patient…they won’t be wearing diapers to first grade!