6 Signs Your Child Is Not Ready For Potty Training
Studies show that toilet training after 24 months can cause some problems in the school age years with bladder control, it is recommended to start potty training before the age of 2.
However, in real North American life, hitting the target of fully potty trained by age 2 is difficult due to the bustling lifestyles we face. Whether you’re a working mom, or a stay at home mom, or a work from home mom potty training before the age 2 is well…unrealistic, though not impossible.
I’ve potty trained 2 children, almost ready to potty train my third, and it’s not a challenge I’m ready to face before 24 months.
So if you are like me, and are not going to force your kids to potty train before the age of 2 as per the recommendations of some doctors then here are some signs to watch out for that will tell you your child is simply not ready for potty training just yet.
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Signs Your Child Is Not Ready For Potty Training
Your Toddler Is Wetting Diapers Unpredictably
The ability to be aware of and regulate her bowel movements is a milestone that your child must achieve. When you and I need to use the toilet, we can wait a bit longer before going. We also have a tendency to go at predictable times or in response to specific events.
However, a toddler who isn’t ready to use the toilet will be wet or filthy all of the time. She has irregular peeing and pooping habits and does not go at regular intervals. She appears to travel whenever and whenever she wants.
To be successful with potty training, she should stay dry for extended lengths of time between changes—an hour or two is a good start. And if she’s dry after a sleep, that’s a good indicator she can hold off on going until she’s on the toilet.
See also: 61 Potty Training Quotes You Cannot Miss Out On (if you need a laugh)
Your Toddler Cannot Get Undressed By Himself
Your youngster must be able to undress himself, particularly his lower half, in order to use the potty. Sure, unbuttoning jeans may be difficult for him, but he should be able to put on and take off loose, elastic pants.
If this is still a problem, you might want to hold off on starting toilet training for a while.
See also: How To Prepare Your Toddler For Potty Training
There Is No Interest In The Potty
To prove that they’re ready for toilet training, youngsters don’t have to be overly enthusiastic about it. Even so, they should be aware of, or at the very least curious in, using the restroom.
For example, your child should understand the terms “pee” and “poop” and be able to communicate with you about what she’s doing. She informs you that she has to pee or that she has recently peed. She should also be informed of how the toilet works and will use it.
However, she may not be ready right now if she refuses to sit on the potty or has no desire to use one.
Your Child Cannot Get Onto The Potty By Himself
Whether you have a traditional potty seat like this one, or one with a ladder to the toilet like this one your child should be able to sit on the potty on their own before they can really potty train. Communication with a toddler is a tough one, and sometimes they only have a few seconds to get to the potty before they pee, and there simply is not enough time to alert you that they need help. This will lead to a lot of accidents, and frustration for you too.
There Is Clear Resistance to The Potty
One of the most telling symptoms that your child isn’t ready for toilet training is her aversion to it.
She may sob at the prospect of being bare-bottomed for three days, or she may be apprehensive or scared of using the restroom. Maybe you have daily power conflicts or battle over pooping in a pull-up. It’s not that she doesn’t care about the potty; it’s just that she doesn’t want to use it.
She may be physically ready to use the bathroom, but she perceives it as a loss of control because this has become such a heated issue between you two. She may be so apprehensive about toilet training that she refuses to even attempt it.
Things’s better to let it go in these situations, even if it’s only for a week at a time. Don’t bring up the subject of toilet training again, even if you have to give yourself pep speeches to keep from arguing with her. Then, once you’ve taken a “break,” bring it up again or wait for her to take the initiative.
See also: Surviving The Dreaded Potty Training Regression
Potty Training Readiness Signs Bottom Line
If your child shows signs of potty readiness here is a guide for you Potty Training Made Easy From A Mom Of 3 to help make the experience nice and easy.
Potty training readiness differs from child to child, and there is no such thing as a “advanced” level. Each of us is built differently.
For example, if your kid is unconcerned with dirty diapers or does not keep dry for lengthy periods of time, she may not be ready yet. Perhaps she is unable to get her trousers up and down or does not inform you that she has to pee or defecate (or that she already has).
She not only refuses to sit on the potty, but she actively opposes it. This might be due to fear, anxiety, or power issues that put her on the defensive.
Rest assured that it isn’t the end of the world if she isn’t ready for toilet training. Don’t worry, she won’t be in diapers forever.
It’s sometimes a matter of waiting for things to fall into place, and other times it’s a matter of backing down and not making a big deal out of it. Potty training feels effortless once and for all, which is possibly the most telling indicator that you’re on the right route.
See also: 18 Best Potty Training Books
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