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Ten Signs Your Toddler is Ready for Potty Training

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There are affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations.

There are affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations.

10 Signs Your Toddler is Ready for Potty Training

One of the many great milestones toddlers are expected to master, between the age of 18 months to 4 years old, is potty training. To date, we have successfully shown all four boys how to use the toilet with raging success. Ignoring the times they miss the bowl or forget to wipe off the toilet seat. I DO remind them, since this slip-up affects me directly, in so many ways.

We recently finished potty training our youngest son. We “delayed” his potty training career until he showed clear signs of readiness. We knew our sweet toddler was ready for potty training when he exhibited these 10 signs.

Get ALL your potty training questions answered in one place!

Is your toddler ready for potty training? Is your child’s bedwetting normal?

Our Potty Training 101 Resource Page has ALL the potty training answers AND encouragement you need!

(Post originally written in 2014, updated in 2017)
Potty training readiness guide from a mother of four. When is your toddler ready for potty training? When he shows these 10 sure signs - THEN you can start and your potty training success will be easier! #PottyTraining #PottyTrainingReadiness #Toddler #Parenting #MamaintheNow

 

Personally, I am never in a rush to potty train the boys, I wait until they are old enough to write me a 30-page dissertation on all the reasons why “Now is the Time to Potty Train”. Jonah finally finished his paper last summer, and after close review I had to agree, he was ready to step into the big leagues: Our toddler was (finally) ready for potty training!

Once your toddler is ready for potty training, don’t miss these 10 things you want to load up on before you start! 

[bctt tweet=”Learn the 10 signs of #pottytraining readiness. Know when your #toddler is ready for potty training!”]

10 Signs Your Toddler Is Ready for Potty Training:

  1. Able to pull pants up and down.
    1. This is only applicable if your toddler ever wears pants! Our boys always prefer the ever so toddler-chic “diaper only” look.
  2. Your life is settled into a groove with no major changes on the horizon.
    1. Things like moving, a new sibling, sickness – even as simple as the common cold can all cause toddlers to regress. Starting potty training during a major life change could backfire.
    2. We moved and added another sibling to the mix in 2014, we, therefore, waited for things to calm down before we even considered potty training Jansen.
  3. Show interest in the toilet and the things that other family members do on it.
    1. Having three older brothers provides a great deal of inspiration and leaves little to the imagination of what a toilet is used for. It’s fair to say that Jonah is well educated in this area – and intrigued.
  4. Notice and dislike wet and dirty diapers.
    1. Jonah aced this point. He used to take diapers off and bring them to us… yeah – he was ready.
  5. Stay dry for longer periods of time and their bowel movements are predictable.
    1. We all know the signs of a pooping baby/ toddler. Their facial expressions alone give it away, but also their body language of hiding and retreating back into a corner are dead giveaways.
    2. Jonah was a little more stealth than that – but he was still very predictable.

10 things to load up on before potty training! Having these 10 things on hand will make your toddler's potty training journey much easier - for all parties!

Get ALL your potty training questions answered in one place!

Is your toddler ready for potty training? Is your child’s bedwetting normal?

Our Potty Training 101 Resource Page has ALL the potty training answers AND encouragement you need!

  1. Follow simple instructions & eager to learn.
    1. Toddlers are inherently eager to learn how to navigate the world around them. As soon as they are capable they will gladly follow easy instructions all in the name of learning a new task.
    2. Of course, this all has to be done on THEIR time – when they are well-rested and not hungry… but we all know this about toddlers.
  2. Express a desire to be a big kid.
    1. This is one reason why potty training a toddler who just became a big brother/ sister may just be an effort in futility. With a little baby in the house, many toddlers regress as they see the baby gets attention for doing “baby things”.
    2. Once the new family dynamics have been established, it is again “safe” for the toddler to show an interest in becoming a big kid.
  3. Communicate wants and needs.
    1. Being verbal is not necessarily a sign of potty training readiness, since we know toddlers have their own very convincing ways of getting their point across.
    2. Many of these methods of communication have little to nothing to do with speech – so just being able to point, sign, signal, or do the potty dance are all perfect ways of communicating the need for a potty break.
  4. Have patience to sit still for a few minutes.
    1. Oh, and what toddler doesn’t just love to sit still for extended periods of time?! This is where you will have to read potty books, sing, and even do puppet shows in the bathroom to entertain your training toddler long enough for them to have a “productive” bathroom visit.
  5. Resist diapers and ask for underwear.
    1. I know, I know – this one is rather obvious – but I had to add it since it was one of Jonah’s CLEAR signs…
    2. and that’s when I knew it was time for me to get off the pot and get the kid potty trained!

Before you start your potty training journey, here are some things parents wish they knew about potty training ahead of time!

Now that your toddler is ready for potty training, let’s get stocked up on the 10 things you will need for potty training success! 

Recognize the 10 signs of potty training readiness. Know when your toddler is ready for potty training. The 10 signs to start potty training. #PottyTraining #PottyTrainingReady #PottyTrainingReadiness #Toddler #Parenting #mamainthenow

Filed Under: Parenting, Popular, Potty Training, Toddler (2-5 years)

Comments

  1. Rebecca Parsons says

    June 30, 2014 at 12:35 AM

    I would choose the Love(pink) color and size Medium

  2. Laura Alcantar says

    June 30, 2014 at 1:32 AM

    i would choose peace (blue) in size medium

  3. Katie K. says

    June 30, 2014 at 6:10 AM

    I would choose a medium in love!

  4. sherry blamer says

    June 30, 2014 at 7:17 AM

    I would choose the bambo in a size medium.

  5. jill funk says

    June 30, 2014 at 7:22 AM

    I would choose size medium in peace.

  6. Tyler Marie Check says

    June 30, 2014 at 7:26 AM

    Peace, Small

  7. Erin B. says

    June 30, 2014 at 7:57 AM

    I would choose a small in bamboo!

  8. alyssa v says

    June 30, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    I would choose medium bamboo

  9. Andrea Mitchael says

    June 30, 2014 at 9:54 AM

    I really like the ginger and peace in small!

  10. Lara Clinton says

    June 30, 2014 at 10:01 AM

    I would choose a small in the bamboo color! Love green 🙂

  11. Nicole-Lynn says

    June 30, 2014 at 10:40 AM

    Oh how nice! If I won, I’d choose the Small size in the Light Green color for my baby girl. Thanks for the opportunity!

    Seasidesmitten@aol.com

  12. Anne Stewart says

    June 30, 2014 at 11:50 AM

    I would choose ginger (rust) in medium!

  13. hayley schermerhorn says

    June 30, 2014 at 12:42 PM

    I would choose peace in small!

  14. Ashley F says

    June 30, 2014 at 3:49 PM

    I would choose Bamboo in small

  15. Aimee P. says

    June 30, 2014 at 10:46 PM

    Love in a size medium

  16. Amanda says

    July 2, 2014 at 8:26 AM

    Bamboo in medium

  17. Danielle J. says

    July 2, 2014 at 8:43 AM

    I would love bamboo in either medium or large

  18. Sarah Broberg says

    July 2, 2014 at 9:09 AM

    Small rust, except rust is sold out. 🙂 So bamboo, I guess.

  19. Jennifer says

    July 2, 2014 at 11:29 AM

    Love in Medium

  20. Lindsay Hamilton says

    July 2, 2014 at 1:41 PM

    I like the bamboo and rust… Probably a medium. 🙂 Thanks!

  21. christina P says

    July 2, 2014 at 4:01 PM

    would love to win the peace in medium!

  22. Hope Speaker says

    July 2, 2014 at 4:51 PM

    I would choose medium Ginger!

  23. Shannon F says

    July 2, 2014 at 6:15 PM

    I would choose the Peace (Blue) color in Medium!

  24. Liberty T. says

    July 2, 2014 at 7:10 PM

    All of the colors are lovely but I would choose Bamboo in a size medium.

  25. Christine M says

    July 2, 2014 at 4:58 PM

    bmboo in Large

  26. Maegan Washington says

    July 2, 2014 at 11:24 PM

    I would choose Peace in size Medium!

  27. Jennifer P. says

    July 2, 2014 at 11:38 PM

    I would choose the Peace (blue) in large. Medium might work too, but my daughter is very big for her age so I was thinking going up a size might be better.

  28. vivianS says

    July 3, 2014 at 7:24 AM

    Medium sized in the pink color!

  29. sharon b says

    July 3, 2014 at 11:28 AM

    I would choose Peace in size medium

  30. megan b says

    July 3, 2014 at 3:41 PM

    Small in love.

  31. ryan says

    July 3, 2014 at 3:41 PM

    Bamboo in small.

  32. Raina Hood says

    July 3, 2014 at 6:07 PM

    I would choose Peace in medium.

  33. Emily says

    July 4, 2014 at 5:32 PM

    Rust in large

  34. Kat says

    July 4, 2014 at 5:38 PM

    ginger medium

  35. Kara says

    July 4, 2014 at 9:40 PM

    I would choose medium in green.

  36. Katie F says

    July 5, 2014 at 2:18 AM

    Bamboo or Peace and probably a medium.

  37. Katherine says

    July 5, 2014 at 9:09 AM

    I’d like peace (blue) in small

  38. Cheri P. says

    July 5, 2014 at 10:20 AM

    small Bamboo

  39. Cassie Hayes says

    July 5, 2014 at 3:07 PM

    I would get Ginger or Bamboo in size medium for my little girl.

  40. Katie H says

    July 5, 2014 at 9:11 PM

    I would love a Peace in size small!

  41. Mattea Foy says

    July 5, 2014 at 9:59 PM

    Small bamboo

  42. Sarah Griffin says

    July 5, 2014 at 11:33 PM

    I would choose the peace color in a size small.

  43. Manisha.M says

    July 6, 2014 at 1:19 AM

    I would pick the Ginger (Rust) in Medium.

  44. Miriam Matheny says

    July 6, 2014 at 6:05 AM

    I would choose the bamboo in small

  45. Claire Rheinheimer says

    July 6, 2014 at 10:40 AM

    I’d get the medium bamboo trainer.

  46. Alyssa Laughlin says

    July 6, 2014 at 11:13 AM

    We would I believe according to the sizing chart go with a size small in green! 🙂 My son is about 25lbs, so I think if we won the medium would be too big.

  47. jodi says

    July 6, 2014 at 4:27 PM

    I’d choose the medium PEACE!

  48. Beki Lozano says

    July 7, 2014 at 12:36 AM

    i would choose bamboo in a med or large

  49. Lorna P says

    July 7, 2014 at 8:09 AM

    Size Small for our little princess…. and pink, of course! She’s going to love her new golden potty!

  50. kathi says

    July 7, 2014 at 9:47 AM

    I would choose peace in a medium.

  51. Ashley J. says

    July 7, 2014 at 10:44 AM

    I would love to have a small in color Love.

  52. Jennifer says

    July 7, 2014 at 11:10 PM

    i’d love a medium in bamboo!

  53. Kris W says

    July 8, 2014 at 1:44 AM

    I would choose a medium in love!

  54. Anne Perry says

    July 8, 2014 at 1:31 AM

    I would need the medium in bamboo.

  55. Cindy McElwee says

    July 8, 2014 at 2:05 PM

    Soft Bums ~ medium ~ great design, love the Love Blossom Echo Diaper ♥ Perfect

  56. Vicki Hall says

    July 8, 2014 at 3:18 PM

    I would choose the med. in peace (blue ) .

  57. Amy says

    July 8, 2014 at 3:35 PM

    Peace in small.

  58. Megan M says

    July 8, 2014 at 7:32 PM

    I would love a pair of the red in a small.

  59. Emily Smith says

    July 8, 2014 at 9:54 PM

    Bamboo in medium!

  60. Irene Sommerfeld says

    July 8, 2014 at 10:34 PM

    medium bamboo

  61. Paula Caudill says

    July 9, 2014 at 5:30 PM

    I like the Bamboo in Med.

  62. Hannah Avery says

    July 9, 2014 at 5:16 PM

    I like the Rust or Love colors in size small.

  63. chelsea preston says

    July 9, 2014 at 8:56 PM

    bamboo in size Medium

  64. Tracy Dennison says

    July 10, 2014 at 1:28 AM

    Peace in Med!

  65. Jenessa Mullen says

    July 10, 2014 at 11:41 AM

    Turner’s favorite color is blue, so I would choose “Peace” in small.

  66. Kaitlin L. says

    July 10, 2014 at 11:43 PM

    I would choose love in a size medium I think. My LO is 6mo right now and is already 20lbs…who knows how much she will weigh once she starts potty training.

  67. jenn mcclearn says

    July 11, 2014 at 8:18 AM

    I would choose peace in Medium

  68. Angela Britz-Robertson says

    July 11, 2014 at 4:07 PM

    Bamboo in size small

  69. beth c says

    July 11, 2014 at 1:42 PM

    i would love a bamboo in medium! thanks 🙂

  70. scarlett says

    July 11, 2014 at 4:46 PM

    biscuit in a medium!

  71. Danielle Spencer says

    July 11, 2014 at 7:21 PM

    Bamboo Medium!

  72. G says

    July 11, 2014 at 9:34 PM

    I think I love just about all these colors, love the muted tones…. My favorite is bamboo and I would choose size medium. Thanks for the great review and Chance to win. I’d love to try these out. Thanks

  73. Catherine Wilke says

    July 11, 2014 at 7:18 PM

    Medium in peace (blue)

  74. kalli says

    July 11, 2014 at 10:27 PM

    I would choose a small Peace. Love them!

  75. kortney Picker says

    July 11, 2014 at 11:03 PM

    I would choose the Love (pink) color in a small!

  76. Eden says

    May 14, 2016 at 11:23 PM

    I used rewards for all three of my kids, usually jelly beans, 1 jelly bean for #1 and 2 for #2, all my kids were really easy to train this way, my oldest son was trained at 25 months, my daughter was 21 months and my youngest son was 23 months, just gotta make sure you introduce it early enough before they become defyant, and make it as fun as possible, do the happy dance, make up a potty song, works like a charm!!

    • Mama in the Now says

      May 15, 2016 at 12:44 PM

      Oh yeah – the potty songs… I am great at making those up on the fly!

  77. Jenny says

    March 22, 2018 at 3:10 AM

    It’s hard to find high quality writing like yours these days.

  78. Sabra Casey says

    September 28, 2018 at 11:12 PM

    Thank you for the article! Great tips!

  79. Sariah Meagle says

    March 11, 2019 at 6:59 PM

    Recently, I noticed that my son is now able to pull his pants up and down without my help. I would say that he’s now ready for potty training since he now notices and dislikes having wet and dirty diapers. Since he’s capable to follow simple instructions and eager to learn now, I might give him a potty training book for children so that he can learn how to do it by example.

I am a Danish American mom of four boys parenting with heart, humor and hygge. Join me on this crazy ride. You will laugh more than you’d expect!

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