As your baby grows from an infant to a toddler, you can’t help but start anticipating potty training. It would be nice to stop lugging that diaper bag around everywhere, not to mention no more dirty diapers. And the money you’ll save! You might be able to actually pay for college if you can stop contributing to the Pampers Fund.

Everyone knows a child in the play group that was completely trained by fourteen months. But…the more you want your child to go potty, the less interested he seems. You start to have nightmares about him going to kindergarten with diapers…or even worse…junior high.

Don’t worry. Your son really won’t start seventh grade in diapers. Like most child development milestones, every child is different and develops at his own pace. While you wait for Junior to feel the motivation to potty on his own, you can start getting ready.

Signs of Readiness

Here are a few signs a child will start start exhibiting when he or she is ready for a potty:

1. Wanting his diaper changed immediately after wetting or defecating
2. Putting dolls or stuffed animals on the potty
3. Asking to use the potty
4. Showing interest when a sibling or parent uses the bathroom

Potty Chairs and Rings

You may want to invest in a potty chair or a child-sized toilet ring that sits over your toilet seat. Some children like the feeling of having their feet on the floor, especially when defecating. Others are OK with being off the ground, but feel like they’re going to fall through the regular toilet seat – and, after all, they might – those little tushies are pretty small compared to the big hole in the seat!

A special trip to the store to get the potty equipment might make your toddler feel that he is getting positive attention from the whole potty adventure. Let him pick the one he likes best and then put it in a special spot in the bathroom.

Rewards and Games

Sticker charts or other small rewards are great to provide some motivation. Set short-term goals (and remember that you’re dealing with a toddler – short term might be the end of the day!) and pick a reward or treat.

Potty Books and Dolls

There are many books on the market for children about toilet training. Go to the bookstore together and choose a few. Read them often! There are also potty dolls available that can be helpful. Your child can “teach” the doll how to use the potty and might be more likely to set a good example.

Potty Power

Don’t push your child before she’s ready or you could have a power struggle on your hands. If you meet serious resistance, back off a little and try again in a few days (or weeks). Some children (my son comes to mind) relish the feeling of being in control. Once my little boy realized that I couldn’t make him go potty, he did everything in his power to avoid actually peeing in the potty.

A few more things to consider:

1. Form good potty habits early. Wiping front to back, and always washing hands are habits that should be part of the routine from the beginning.
2. Avoid words like “nasty” or “stinky” when accidents happen.
3. Some kids may be afraid of the noisy flush. If this is the case, flush after they leave the room.
4. Disposable pull-ups can be great for long car rides or trips to the store, and for night-time wetting.