Potty learning policy

[Rachael]

I toilet train beginning the first business day after their second birthday but I have some prerequisites.

First, a child must be able to independently pull their pants up and down. I remind parents when their child is about 18 months that independent toileting cannot be taught if a child can't pull their own pants down.

I also require that when toilet training, real underwear is worn. No pull-ups.

Parents are told that they are expected to work jointly with me. If they have changes going on at home, if a parent is away at sea (military town), if renovations are going on, this is not the time to begin.

They are also reminded that this is a process. Once we begin, we don't quit and revert back to drapers. When their child was learning to walk, and stumbled and fell, they didn't consider stopping the encouragement to take those few steps, they didn't tutt and roll their eyes when their child faltered and they understood that some days would be better than others. Same thing with toilet training.

I do encourage parents to try and begin at home over a weekend. Two parents to one child means more likely they will catch the signs their child needs to go. I also tell parents that if they aren't willing to invest their time in helping their child with this, when there are two to one child, then it's not realistic to expect me to either when there is one person to 6.