By Sean Platt

Though children can be potty trained before their first birthday (and often are in the majority of the world) it is far better to wait until both parent and child are ready than it is to start before either one of you are able to commit.

An unsteady start can lead to an unwelcome extension of the overall process, leading to a less than agreeable period for the entire family.

Wise parents pull the trigger on potty training only when they are sure they can commit to a consistent set of patterns, and feel they are carrying the emotional and physical capacity necessary to see the process through to the end.

Remember, just because your child has demonstrated signs of being ready to start potty training, does not necessarily mean you are also ready as a parent.

Make sure you are able to clear your schedule as much as possible before you start. Choose a time when family routine is least likely to be fractured with house guests, long trips in the car, a household move, or any other outsized disruption. Make sure the family is not pre-occupied with other major commitments such as work, or a heavy school load from an older sibling.

Holidays or long weekends are both ideal times for parents to start the process.

Select your language with consideration. Determine ahead of time what words you are planning to use to describe the various body parts, urine, and bowel movements. Try to steer clear of like dirty, naughty, or stinky when describing their waste.

These terms are negative and can make your child feel unnecessarily ashamed or self-conscious.

Always treat bathroom eliminations in the simplest, matter-of-fact manner possible.

In the beginning of the toilet training process, explain to your child that it is time to place their #1 or #2 in the potty. Remind, whenever they feel the need to go they should hold it in just long enough to walk to the potty, sit down, and release. Discuss the numerous benefits of successful potty training with your child. Even at an early age, this is language they can understand: no more diaper rash, interruptions from their play to change a diaper, and the perpetual joy of always being clean and dry.

Also, clearly explain that toilet training is an important stage of growing up.

Use dolls or action figures. Sit a favorite doll or action figure on a pretend toilet, while explaining that the baby is going pee-pee in the potty. Put diapers on his favorite teddy bear and then graduate the stuffed animal to underwear.

Introduce a book or video so your child can see other children learning to use the potty. There are plenty of materials available online, at the local library, or in your favorite bookstore. And just as some adults enjoy reading materials while sitting on the toilet, favorite books can help their minutes fall from the clock a lot quicker.

Pick a day when you plan to start toilet training, circle it together on the calendar, and count the days until the day is finally there. Celebrate as soon as it is.

Make potty training fun, and it will be something you remember forever. Make it a chore, and it will be something you can not wait to forget!

About The Author

Sean Platt offers plenty of potty training help, tips, tricks and advice to help parents determine the best time to start potty trainingtheir children. Visit him at PottyTrainingPower.com today!