What is the best age to potty train my child?

From the standpoint of readiness, the usual age for potty training is the mid-twos. Children are generally not prepared until they're right around two and a half because they just argent able to control that function in their body before that time. Some moms who have attempted to potty train their children much earlier have found that they had dismal success because their kids just weren't ready.

SUSIE [a guest on the radio program]: Right. Melissa looked as if she was ready. She was showing all the signs, but the first time we tried it, we quickly discovered she wasn't ready at all.

RANDY: I noticed you said “we”, Susie, which means your husband was involved too. Kevin, what do you think? Is it unusual for a dad to get involved in potty training the kids? Where are the dads in all of this?

KEVIN [Dr. Kevin Leman]: Oh, the dads are usually as far away as they can be. In my case, I was ordered out of the house when Sande wanted to potty train our firstborn. On the other hand, my brother trained his little son how to go potty outside. They live out in a very wooded area, and they have a few farm animals as pets and all that. So my brother--who is also a psychologist, by the way—taught his son how to go potty outside. Well, that was great until the boys mother took him to the mall and lost sight of him for a moment or two. When she turned around, there he was, watering the potted plants! I think I see our board lighting up. Somebody wants to join our potty training discussion...

Author: excerpt from Parent Talk by Dr. Kevin Leman and Randy Carlson of Family Life Communications

Also see

• POTTY TRAINING - How do I get my child to use the potty without constantly reminding her? Answer
• What is a good way to handle a child who wets his pants during the day? Answer
• BEDWETTING - What are the causes? Answer

Copyright © 1996, 1999, Family Life Communications, All Rights Reserved - except as noted on attached “Usage and Copyright” page that grants ChristianAnswers.Net users generous rights for putting this page to work in their homes, personal witnessing, churches and schools.

[ If this information has been helpful, please prayerfully consider a donation to help pay the expenses for making this faith-building service available to you and your family! Donations are tax-deductible. ]

www.ChristianAnswers.Net
Christian Answers Network
PO Box 200
Gilbert AZ 85299