Your mental readiness is a key component when it comes to potty training. It is easy to be upbeat and positive through the successes, however, your child will need you to remain calm, unemotional and positive when he is struggling and is having accidents.

Therefore, taking some time to develop a plan and an understanding of what lies ahead will enable you to have realistic expectations for both you and your child.

Last but not least, think of this as another opportunity to create memories that you will treasure and remember for years to come. Also, you never know what this potty training adventure could lead to – for me, it led me to my third career 8 years after I potty trained my boys!!

• Have you taught your child the appropriate vocabulary words for: (Use words that are comfortable for you and your family to use.)

• Body parts? (e.g. penis, vagina, anus etc)
• Human waste / the elimination process? (e.g. poo, pee, wee, bowel movement etc)
• Sensory terms? (e.g. wet, dry etc)
• Toileting equipment? (e.g. potty, toilet, underwear etc)

• Do you have a good understanding of how your child's development will affect his ability to learn?

• Do you know your child's urination and BM schedule? (Go to www.potty-training-in-one-day.com to print out charts for the schedule.)

• Do you have a clear understanding of the potty training method or technique you have decided to use?

• Do you know your child's currency and have a plan for consequences/ rewards?

• Are you comfortable with implementing consequences for undesired behaviors?

• Have you given thought to how you will remain calm & positive through the training process? (This is especially important when your child has an accident right after he gets up from the potty – this will happen!!)

• Do you have a clear understanding of your child's perspective when it comes to potty training i.e. the detailed steps he has to learn?

• Do you have all the required equipment?

• Have you set realistic expectations for your child and for yourself?

• Do you have a plan for nap time & night time? How about a plan for potty on the go?

If you answer yes to all the questions listed below, then you are ready to potty train. If not, you have some work to do!