What do you think is the best age to start potty training? And how to help overcome potty phobia...

[PeppermintPatty]

Just wondering about potty training my DD. She's 2 in June and I'm thinking about starting sometime over the summer.

She seems ready for it in some ways ie. she can tell me when she's done a wee or poo in her nappy, and asks me to change it. Her speech and understanding is good, and we have had discussions about potty training. She's keen to wear knickers instead of nappies.

However, she's absolutely terrifed of sitting on the potty. We've had one in the bathroom for months, and I often ask her if she wants to sit on it but she just looks scared and says a very definite no. We play games and put teddies on the potty, and she's watched her cousin sit on it but she's still terrified.

Is this normal and does it mean she's not ready for potty training yet? How can I help her to overcome her fear of the potty?

Maybe take her shopping to choose her own potty? Let her test drive it before you buy to make sure she's happy to sit on it. Or get padded seat for the toilet, may be more comfortable than potty.

It sounds like she's not ready for it yet. Keep up with the role plays with teddies and let her sit on it fully clothed to start off with - get some books too to read to hear about it. She'll get to a stage when she's ready to sit on it - but dont push her to too early on.

Thanks for your replies.

I suspect if I took her shopping for another potty she would refuse to sit on it in the shop too. She is really really suspicious of them! Maybe if it was a potty that didn't look anything like a potty, if such a thing existed...

I've only tried to get her to sit on it fully clothed so far.

Books a good idea. Are there any you recommend dinky?

M&S do a very good book which comes with a reward chart.

Hang on a sec....will go and dig it out!!

Ok got it!!!

Was right at bottom of book case, typical

Its called My Potty Book which comes with stickers.

Another book I have (although bought from Woolies so you may have to search)is called:
Potty Hunt. Its a lift the flap book by chad valley.

We also have (althoughI can't find it ATM)
The Little Princess: I want my Potty!!

Thanks simpson. Will have a look for those

The M&S book concentrates on teddies sitting on potty first and what they have to do...ie wipe bum & wash hands etc...

thats why i thought that one would be best iyswim.

It comes with pictures etc.

You should be able to look at it online.

Think I had to order it online to be picked up in store.

I would let you have mine but am saving it for the joys of potty training DD (15mths) when the time comes.

Would she be as nervous of the toilet with a little seat on it? maybe skip the potty all together?

yes was going to suggest maybe skipping potty altogether too..

This is what we did with DS although he was a bit older he loved the climbing on step bit

We have the tony ross - Little Princess: I want my potty book (warning - it will make your daughter want to play tricks on the potty by putting it on her head like the little princess does!). We also have the "My Potty Book" (you can get it off of Amazon if nowhere near a M&S) - there is a boys version and a girls version. The final book we have is "Everybody goes potty" book from Amazon - it has a flush button you press to flush the loo - DS1 loves this one best, followed by the little princess book. We read these books for several months, having potties lying around and a star chart if DS did any wees or poos on the potty before commencing potty training in earnest a few weeks ago.