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Is Your Child Ready to Toilet Train?
Mandy's daughter was only
18 months when she decided to use the toilet. In the
middle of a busy afternoon Kate announced that she needed
to 'potty' and from that time on (with a few exceptions)
she was toilet trained.
Dennis was four years old and he was
still fighting his parents about toilet training. He
would become constipated in an effort to withhold his
bowel movements and required stool softeners to correct
the problem. His parents wondered if they'd be sending
him to school in diapers.
Is either scenario normal? Do girls
train easier than boys? And when is YOUR child ready
to begin toilet training?
What Age Should We Start?
The truth is that the age range for
toilet training is a big one. Unlike first smiles or
first steps you can easily expect a gap of several years
of 'normal' toilet training ages. The usual age to begin
is between 2 and 3 years old and can take, on average,
8 to 10 months. Many children will fall outside of these
parameters and be completely healthy and normal.
More important than age is the child's
readiness. You can look for signs of readiness including:
staying dry for a couple hours, telling you when she
has wet her diaper or when she is in the process, able
to follow simple directions, coordinated enough to pull
down her own pants and showing an interest in the toilet
and how it's used.
How Should We Begin?
Let your child lead the way. Some children
will need time to get familiar with the concept before
using the toilet or potty. Let him sit on a potty or
(if appropriate) allow him to watch another child use
it.
If your child is accustomed to seeing
parents or older siblings use the toilet they may prefer
to use the 'big' toilet with a child's seat instead
of a potty. Allow them to sit on the toilet when they
ask or even offer them to try it. Don't expect anything
to happen the first few tries.
Should We Use Rewards?
Even experts debate the reward system,
but if it works for your child it might be worth considering
if they are having trouble staying interested in the
process.
What if They Refuse to Go?
You may see that they are physically
ready but you cannot be sure they are emotionally ready.
If toilet training becomes a power struggle you will
both lose. Your child ultimately has control of his
or her body and will surely realize this, even if it
means making himself sick.
Persistence and consistency are important
since children often become bored after the initial
excitement and may start having accidents or asking
for diapers. However, if your child seems truly stressed
or you know there has been a big event, such as a new
baby in the house, you should probably give them some
time to adjust or feel more comfortable before resuming
the training.
If you ever feel anxious about your
child's abilities or health in regards to toilet training
you should consult your pediatrician who will be able
to give you suggestions and ease your mind.
Do Girls Train Easier Than Boys?
While there is no documented evidence
to say so, it appears girls often do 'get it' earlier
than boys. However, every individual child will progress
according to their own schedule and you may well find
the opposite is true for your children.
1howto.com
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