Although it might sound somewhat scary, every mom goes through it, and it doesn’t have to be hard. It’s potty training, and if your kid is between 18 months and 2 1/2 years, you’re probably thinking one thing: How can I get started?

While it’s true that some children take to potty training pretty easily, others might need a little extra care and attention. Relax, take a deep breath, and follow these instructions. You’ll be congratulating your child on a job well done in no time.

Pick the right time to start

There’s no point trying to potty train your child before he’s ready (and you’re ready, too!). The process just won’t work. When it comes to your own patience, if you’re in the middle of anything stressful, like a move or a remodel, consider waiting until you can devote your full attention to the task at hand.

Fortunately, the signs that your child is ready to use the toilet are actually pretty obvious, if you’re looking for them.

For starters, a kid who is ready for potty training must be able to follow instructions. Try starting him off slowly, by having him practice pulling his underwear or diaper on and off. Next, move to more challenging tasks, like coordinating the idea of taking his diaper off with sitting on the toilet.

Your child may also start telling you when he needs to go -- especially if you’ve been demonstrating and explaining the proper way to use the toilet (which is a great idea). He may even start attempting to use the toilet on his own, at which point he should be highly praised.

Involve your child in the process
Although it will be necessary for you to research the best equipment (potty chair, adapter seat, etc.) for your child to use during his training, involving him in the decision-making process is an easy way to get him excited about potty training.

Once you’ve determined which equipment is right for him, allow your child to pick from a number of different colors and designs. He’ll like being involved and knowing that the potty chair is just for him.

 

Don’t get discouraged
As with most things regarding kids, patience is key. Keep in mind that girls tend to catch on to potty training a bit faster than boys, and it can sometimes take several months for them to catch on and be able to go on their own. Try to keep your cool (and infuse a little humor when possible), and you’ll be just fine.

Expect setbacks. It’s perfectly normal for your child to have a few on his way to potty-training perfection, and how you handle those setbacks will be key. Never get angry or punish your child for an accident. Instead, be positive and explain that accidents happen. Then remind him that the next time he feels the need to go, he should try to remember to use his fun new potty instead.

Remember -- slow and steady wins the toddler potty-training race. Try to embrace these days, and keep in mind that you’ll only have to potty train your kid once. It will be soon be a distant memory.

You spend tons of time playing with your child. But did you know that it’s just as important for him to spend time playing socially with other toddlers as it is for you and him to bond?

Believe it or not, toddlers shouldn’t remain idle for more than one hour at a time. Of course, you probably don’t have the time (or energy) to play with your kid every hour on the hour, so setting up playdates and outside activities will become an important part of your child’s development and wellbeing. For starters, toddlers can teach each other important skills like cooperation, problem solving, and leadership.

Keep in mind a few things before setting up the first playdate for your toddler:

1. Keep visits short. Toddlers have short attention spans, and visits should be set at about an hour or less in order to achieve the maximum benefits.
   
   
2. Have activities in mind. Don’t expect your toddler to be able to entertain his guests on his own. Before the invited guests arrive, spend time pulling out some toy and game options to help things go smoothly. It’s probably a good idea to keep your toddler’s favorite items hidden away, to help avoid any arguments.
   
   
3. Share and share alike. Once your toddler has shown that he can play well with others, you can suggest switching up the toddler play locations with other parents whom you have come to know and trust. If your child will be visiting a friend’s house for the first time, though, consider staying through that initial playdate. This will help your child feel more comfortable, and he’ll probably become acclimated to the new surroundings more quickly.
   
   
4. Consider joining a local playgroup. If inviting other toddlers to your house really isn’t your thing, but you still want to socialize your child, try joining a local playgroup. This will take the pressure off of you while still providing your toddler with the outside attention he needs to help him learn to socialize.

Follow these simple steps for toddler play and your child will be on his way to becoming a cooperative, problem-solving social butterfly.

By the time your baby reaches 4 months, he’ll be active enough to start wanting to play. Baby games are stimulating and exciting for your little one, but too much excitement can end up being overwhelming. Here’s how to get your baby playing -- without offering too much too soon.

Keep it simple
With young babies, simple’s almost always better. Keep your baby’s toys tucked away, pulling out one or two at a time for him to play with. The fewer toys he’s faced with at any given time, the less likely it is that his senses will be overloaded.

Stimulate his senses
Your baby’s first toys don’t have to be fancy or expensive -- they just need to capture his interest. And if you’ve ever watched a baby or little kid show more interest in a toy’s box or wrapping paper than the toy itself, you know exactly what we mean.

Try giving him items with a variety of textures, patterns, colors, shapes, or sounds, like a big red bouncy ball, a fuzzy plush toy, and a noisy rattle. Just make sure whatever toys you choose are large enough so he can’t put them in his mouth.

Interact -- a lot
The more you communicate and interact with your baby, the more he’ll learn and the happier he’ll be. Here are some activity ideas that’ll have you giggling and playing together:

• Get on the floor and explore his toys together

• Rock him in your arms while listening to your favorite music. Try singing to him!

• Read out loud to him--even if he’s way too young to understand the story

• Take him for a walk in his stroller and talk about all of the interesting things that are happening outside  

• Try playing peek-a-boo and patty-cake. These games may make him laugh, which is just about the best sound in the world

Transitions are tough for little kids -- and potty training is all about transitions. Go into it expecting numerous bumps along the road. Refusing to poop? Yup. Accidents? Of course. Read on for simple ways to turn “oopsie” into “I did it!”

Toddler potty-training setback number 1: Accidents
“Accidents happen” is a household phrase for good reason. Most children wet their pants even after they’ve been toilet trained. This could be because they’re too distracted (playing outside, painting, watching TV) to notice the urge to go, or they’re sick, they’re in a different environment (a friend’s house or a restaurant), or they’re stressed about something, like starting a new school or the arrival of a sibling.  

The solution: Resist the temptation to scold your child -- he didn’t have an accident to annoy or embarrass you. Be understanding (“It’s not the end of the world!”), but also be clear about the goal: to pay attention to his body’s signals and get to the toilet next time. Involve your toddler in cleaning up the accident (even if he just delivers his wet pants to the washing machine) so he’ll understand that potty training is his responsibility, too. And keep a clean change of clothes on hand, especially at school, until your child has been accident-free for six months or more.

Toddler potty-training setback number 2: Lapses
Potty? What potty? Toddlers occasionally forget about the whole toilet thing, instead wetting their pants as if potty training had never happened. When you bring it up, your child may look at you like you have three heads, simply shrug, or run off and play.

The solution: Such lapses are temporary and to be expected. Children develop in spurts, sometimes leaping ahead, other times seeming to stand still or even take a few steps back. A lapse in training is different from an accident -- an accident is an occasional slip-up between visits to the potty. A lapse is a period of time during which your toddler simply doesn’t use the potty even though he’s learned all about it and has even begun to show progress. Stay positive about your toddler’s potty training and continue to encourage him. But be aware that those wet pants could be a sign, perhaps signaling immaturity or a reaction to pressure. Look for potential sources of stress that could be affecting your child’s potty-training progression. If the lapses in training continue, consider putting the potty away for a few weeks and trying again when your toddler might be more receptive.

Toddler potty-training setback number 3: Bedwetting
Is your toddler dry throughout the day but waking up in a puddle? His body may still be too immature to signal the brain when his bladder’s full. It’s very common for children in their first year of daytime potty training to have nighttime accidents. In fact, many 3-year-olds continue to wet the bed about once a month.

The solution: Clean up and move on, especially if it happens only occasionally. You might want to put a water-resistant mattress pad on the bed to make cleanups easier. If it’s happening two to three times a week, consider using training pants, which can smooth the transition from diapers to undies.

Toddler potty-training setback number 4: Refusing to poop in the potty
For some toddlers, peeing in the potty is easy, but pooping, not so much. Experts say some children may be afraid of making a mess. If this is what's worrying your child, he may have had an embarrassing experience with a number-two accident or saw one happen to another child and wants to avoid the same fate.  

The solution: Take note of the times your toddler usually has a bowel movement, maybe right after a nap or a half-hour after lunch, and put him on the potty at those times. Pile on the praise if he’s able to poop! Whatever you do, keep your tone positive. Using negative words like "dirty" or "stinky" to describe bowel movements can make your child feel ashamed and embarrassed. Assure him that everyone poops -- it’s natural! If your child still gives pooping in the toilet a thumbs down, suggest that he ask you for training pants instead when he feels the urge to go.

Toddler potty-training setback number 5: Accidents on the go
Outings -- whether you’re on an airplane or just at the mall -- are challenging for potty-training toddlers because they break up their routine. Even kids who are usually dry all day may have accidents when out of their regular environment.

The solution: Before you leave home, urge your toddler to use the toilet. Once you’re out, take potty breaks at least every hour and again before you leave your location. Carry a clean change of clothes just in case!

With patience and time, your little one will soon be potty trained. So keep at it, Mom!

Is your toddler curious about the toilet or big-kid underwear? Can he tell you when he has to go? Does he stay dry for two hours or more during the day? If so, it’s probably time to potty train!

When it comes to toilet training, waiting until your child is physically and emotionally ready is the first step toward success. Then all you’ll need are the right supplies and a generous dose of patience. Learn the potty pointers below to make toilet training easy, fun -- and done!

Buy a potty
Take your child to the store and let him select his favorite potty -- they come in colors ranging from electric blue to cotton-candy pink! Involving your tot will give him a sense of control over the process.

Personalize it
When you get home, let your child decorate the potty using stickers or markers. If your toddler feels invested in this potty seat, he’s more likely to get excited about potty training.

Talk it up
From the moment you set out to toilet train your toddler, start the positive PR campaign. Explain that the potty will be his special seat and that it will help him pee and poop like a big boy. Your enthusiasm for this achievement -- “I am so excited for you to take this big step!” -- will help boost your toddler’s motivation.

Give it a good first home
When you first bring the potty chair home, place it in a central spot -- the kitchen, playroom, or anywhere else your family spends a lot of time -- to make it super accessible to your toddler. Consider surrounding the potty with some of your child’s stuffed animals for company, plus a few picture books to encourage him to sit longer.

Introduce potty time
While the potty is still in a central location, invite your toddler to sit on the chair -- with diaper down if he’s ready. Heap on the praise if he’s able to go! You can increase the impact of his first positive experience by suggesting that he demonstrate to his stuffed animals the proper way to use the potty. He’s the expert now!

Move the chair to the bathroom
Once your toddler is using the potty regularly, move it to the bathroom, where big kids and grown-ups go.

The potty-training process may take a while, and that’s perfectly OK. Keep in mind that every child is different and will adapt to new situations at his own pace. Patience, praise, and a positive attitude will help smooth the transition.