Checklist for Potty Training

Potty training is a gradual process that can go very smoothly or can provide plenty of obstacles along the way.

Generally girls are easier to train then boys as girls tend to faster in many developmental areas than boys. Boys often required an extra level of encouragement and support but eventually will catch up to their female counterparts.

Most pediatricians recommend that parents begin introducing their children to potty training as toddlers (approximately two to three years of age) and often you can pick up cues from your child that they are ready to move onto the next phase of potty training. For example a child that is upset when his or her diaper is wet and can point to or tug at the diaper to tell you so is ready to begin potty training. Some children will go as far as to take the dirty diaper off their own body so they no longer feel wet or dirty.

When it comes to potty training, there are certain things that you need to check off on a regular basis to ensure that you are establishing the required potty training ritual with your child. There are a number of questions that you must ask of a child in potty training mode to ensure that the process is following along on a smooth, even course. Always take the time to assure and reassure your child that you are there to help her as she gets used to this very important developmental step in her life.

Ask your child if she remembered to push her pants and her underpants as far down her legs as possible in order to use the potty, without pulling them off all together. Next make sure that your child sits properly on the potty so he or she won’t fall off. Caution him or her that perching their bum on the edge of the toilet can result in the potential to hurt oneself and/or the chance the urine will spill onto the floor. Ask your child if she feels that she has sufficiently finished emptying her bladder? In other words, "Are you all done?" Let your child know that she can sit on the toilet as long as she needs to.

Whether or not your child has cleaned herself properly is very important. Teach your child the way to wipe her bum and always tell her to wipe from front to back (as this prevents the spread of bacteria from the anus to the urethra). Teach your son that he is to stand up when he urinates and that when he sits down for a bowel movement he should wipe from front to back. Tell your child to make sure that he or she has not dribbled on the toilet seat and if so to wipe it up with toilet paper.

Once the child has finished on the toilet, make sure she pulls up her underpants and then her pants remembering to button or zip up the pants all of the way. Remind her that she must make sure both pieces of clothing are adjusted accordingly and are not twisted and turned in such a way that they will irritate her skin or movements. Tell your child to flush the toilet and then to wash her hands with lukewarm soap and water.