From training pants to real ones.

Toddlers are not created equal. Some are easier to potty train than others. And no, it’s not in the genes.

You thought it’s easy, just have her sit in the potty. But your child may not like it and would not go without a diaper on. Here’s a scenario: you tried for a good half hour trying but to no avail so you gave up. The moment you put the diaper on your child, she started going.

Toilet training is a milestone for both you and your child. It is the process when your toddler graduates from training pants to real underwear. It is the big step towards your child’s autonomy and into being a big kid.

For some parents, potty training is a breeze. They would just put the child in the potty, and even for the first time, the child would go. And we’re talking of eight months here, not two years old.

In America, parents have to wait until the child is two years of age to start toilet training. The norm is to wait until the child is able to communication or at least be able to say “pee.” There is no potty small enough for an eight-month old. But in other countries like Europe, parents start potty training around nine months. So, with potty training, there really is no rule as to when. It would just depend where you live.

Unfortunately, potty training can be both frustrating for some parents and children. And the bigger chunk of frustration would always go to the parents. Like it or not, we cannot control the whole job of potty training. We can only control 50 per cent of the job, the other 50 goes to our child, the one who’s being trained. If she is not yet up to it, then, it would not happen.

Readiness is the key to toilet training. If the child is not yet ready, the parent cannot force her. Force would only prolong the training time. And the child would most likely not cooperate if she knows she is being forced. Much more, she may develop an aversion with the potty. And you don’t want that to happen.

There are several ways to make a child use the potty. Through the years, parents have thought up different tricks on potty training and on top of it all is praising your child generously for a job well done. Parents no matter how hard or easy it takes them to potty train a child would be successful in the end. Who doesn’t learn to use the toilet, anyway?