Pottying nature's way.
Kimberley Clayton Blaine: Have you ever met an adult that wasn't potty trained? Well, I haven't. Don't be worried, if you take the lay back stance to potty training. I promise you, you will not be changing diapers through elementary school.
Bladder control is a physiological function and is not something that can be controlled with behavioral remedies. Rewarding children with stickers, charts and toys doesn't speed up the process. The more firmer hands on you are with your child, the more control issues may arise. You didn't reward your child for walking for the first time, so why would you reward them for bladder control.
It takes the average child at least 12 months to master this task. Girls typically begin to use the potty at 2 and boys around the third birthday. When your child turn 15 months, you can buy them a cute potty or a seat that goes over the toilet.
Bring it outside during the warm summer months and let your child play diaper less. Children need to see where their pee-pee comes from. If they are in a diaper, it's hard for them to make the connection. Even if they pee in the bush or the grass, you can say, "there is your pee, cool." Don't get too excited, just be a matter of fact.
You want to expose children to the potty on a regular basis over the long run, not rush them. All children need is to see you, their siblings and their peers use the bathroom. Most likely they will find joy in going to the potty. Isn't that the method you would prefer as opposed to forcing a developmental process that they have no or little control over?
Children tend to potty on their own, when they are in a supportive, non-controlling environment. Children who attend a preschool, attend to potty earlier because they get to see their peers go to the bathroom.
Modeling and exposing your child to the elements of using the potty is all you need to do. Relax and enjoy your child because tomorrow they will be going off to college and you will kick yourself for not savoring all the wonderful stages. There's really no optimal age for potty training but if your child is not using a potty by 3.5 or 4 years old, consult with your paediatrician.
