Potty Training: Take the Potty Training Readiness Quiz

The secret to successful potty training is to make sure you and your kid are really (really!) ready. Because if you start potty training before you're ready, you're just asking for weeks, months (or yes, even years!) of frustration, tears, promises and threats—not to mention enough bribery to make Tony Soprano look like the good guy! So, the first step in potty training is asking yourself: Are you ready?

1. Is your kid at least 18 months old (preferably between 24 and 30 months old)?
2. Does your kid seem curious about the potty?
3. Does your kid watch you with interest when you go?
4. Does your kid indicate in some way (signals, words, gestures) that he needs to go?
5. Is your kid completely unafraid of the potty and of the bathroom?
6. Does your kid seem to be bothered by dirty/wet diapers?
7. Does your kid have fairly regular bowel movements?
8. 8. Does your kid have fairly regular wet diapers?
9. Does your kid respond to simple commands (e.g., "Come here and sit on the potty")?
10. Does your kid respond positively to praise and/or rewards?

If you answered yes to most (or all!) of the above questions, congrats! It may be time to start potty training! If your kid is really ready, potty training should be a breeze. If it's not, step back, wait a few months and try again.

Remember: When it comes to potty training, timing is everything! You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. The same idea applies here. As I like to say, your child will NOT be wearing diapers to the senior prom.

Bottoms up!

So, do you think you and your kid are ready to potty train? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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