If you are worried that your toddler will never use the toilet, don’t be.   It’s normal for parents to get anxious.   No one wants a three year old in a diaper.  But I’m here to tell you that sometimes this does happen, but not very often.

I think that there is a misconception about toilet training that I would like to clear up.   Parents we can’t teach our kids to pee or poop when we want them to.  Try telling an 18 month old baby to wait until after lunch to go pee.  The little tiger isn’t going to wait.  He physically can’t control his bladder and may not be able to do so until he is three.

It’s not developmentally appropriate for two year olds to sit on the toilet until he pees or poops.  They hate sitting for more than two minutes and this frustrates them.   This kind of approach typically creates unnecessary battles.

There are healthier ways to help toddlers get started with toilet training.   And in doing so we must see the world through their eyes.

At first they see the toilet as a place that mom sits and they have no clue that they too will be sitting on the throne someday too.  They find the toilet fascinating because there is water in the hole.  A toilet doesn’t make them think about pooping.  Instead they wonder how they can play in the toilet water.  They stuff a roll of paper in the toilet and try to flush it down. Their favorite thing to do is make big splashes by tossing in toys, tooth brushes, and mom’s hair brush.

It’s a pretty good idea to keep the bathroom door locked so little explores can’t get in and flood the floor or fall head first in the toilet.

There are signs to look for before expecting a toddler to use the toilet. 

They are maturing when they start to put two or three words together to express their needs.  They dress and undress themselves.  The biggest sign is that their diapers stay dry for longer periods of time.   A toddler is definitely ready to go on the toilet when they talk about peeing and pooping.

It can take three to six months before the stay dry a hundred percent of the time.   They must practice with lots of messes before the brain and bladder figure out how to work together!!!!

By age two and a half a toddler is usually ready to have a toilet training routine.

It’s a process not a race.

So relax and follow their lead.

I have specialized in Early Childhood Education and worked with young children(toddlers) for over 20 years.

Hi I’m Lisa the creator of this blog.   Thank you for stopping by and sharing your time with me.   I’m a Homeschooling Mom and it is awesome.  

I have an eight year old boy and six year old daughter.  My husband and I are in love with each other and we enjoy our children.  

Living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado is amazing and God fills us with His glory daily.

I’m a writer and I blog to inspire, encourage, and help parents.  Before I was married I worked over twenty years in Early Childhood Education.   I have a Bachelors in Social Work and Early Childhood.  

I’m also the creator of  Gathering Place For Sisters In Christ – Posts About Christian Living .  Love to have you meet with me there too.    I’ve been a Christian for more than forty years.    I’m very thankful that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.  He is indeed the King of Kings.