Recent research reveals that fear of potty training is spreading like wildfire among parents. This recent outbreak among parents and caregivers of 2- to 3-year-olds has them scrambling for books, videos, and expensive potty training aids of all kinds. There is only one cure for this phenomenon: a good dose of good old-fashioned common sense. Although it is instilled naturally in most parents, it is the last resort that they usually try.

If you think about it, your son was recently a crawling baby. The next stage of transition was learning to walk. Her beautiful little boy started to get up off the furniture and then took that step between the coffee table and the sofa. What did you do? Did he burn out and buy expensive training manuals and equipment to get through this stage? Did you get nervous and set a date that you had to walk? So, on that fateful day, stand that beautiful baby on her feet and demand that they walk the next day without falling over? Of course not, who would do that? Chances are you would cheer, clap, and smile as you hugged them. Then you told everyone you knew about your baby’s success. That’s good old-fashioned common sense at work! You have it.

Now, to cure your potty training fear, let’s take that common sense to the next level. With a checklist to make sure the timing is right and some tips for tweaking the skills you already have, you and your toddler could really enjoy the potty training process. Imagine spending most of the time you are potty training focused on the benefits to your child. How good they will feel with the pride of having achieved independence. The confidence they will gain knowing that they can have “big kid” status and keep themselves clean and dry. For the most part, they will learn cooperation skills that will carry over into all other areas of their lives, making mealtime, bedtime, and toy cleanup easier too.

The key to making the transition from potty training easy for both you and your child is preparation based on communication skills and physical fitness. Print the following short checklist and use it for the next seven days.

o Your child shows an interest in what you and your family members are doing in the bathroom.

o Your child has a clear understanding that being clean and dry is preferable to diapers.

o Check your child’s diaper often. When you find they are dry for an hour and then suddenly very wet, it is a sign that they now have control over essential muscles.

o When your child’s diaper is dry after a nap or in the morning fairly consistently.

o Your child begins to recognize when he has a bowel movement and will hide and show modesty.

o Your child can indicate that he wants his diaper changed immediately after going to the bathroom.

o Your child talks enough to communicate his need to go to the bathroom.

o As a parent, you have a low-key attitude toward potty training. A sense of humor is not essential, but it helps.

o You have a clear enough schedule that you don’t feel pressured or rushed in this process.

Many of the things on this list come naturally, and the rest can be encouraged. Although it’s not necessary to have all of these readiness cues before you begin, the more time you spend preparing for the potty training process, the less stress and mess you’ll have when you begin.