I have started initiating K to the potty, starting with books like ‘Everyone Poops’ by Taro Gomi. A book that takes a matter-of-fact attitude towards the bowel activity and its outcome. For a toddler, it is informative and it has worked to ensure that K has regular bowel movements every 2 days. But for me, this probably qualifies as ‘toddler toilet humour’, quite literally, with its quirky illustrations.
Before I am able to start K on a ‘potty-going’ routine (morning, after meals, before nap time), his reply has been “Don’t want,” whenever I ask him if he wants to use the potty. I have also decided against using ‘underwear training method’, until I see more signs of potty readiness.
‘Children whose parents postpone intensive training until the early to middle of the third year are generally fully trained without four months. Starting before 27 months simply makes the process take longer.’
(Blum & Nemeth, 2003, Pediatrics 111)
I have decided that K can dictate his own pace for potty-training, and I will not be pressured by the 90% of 2 year olds out there who are already in their training pants.
