Some children potty train easily and for others hey they just don't want to. I remember stopping the car on the side of the road so my boys could "go". Hey we do what we have to. With my boys I threw Cheerio's in the bowl and said "go get 'um". Worked when I wanted it to, the boys on the other hand had their own ideas. One thing to remember is that each child is different and develops at their own rate. Do not rush your child into using the toilet.

No one can predict when your child is going to have to go, so be patient. Accidents will happens and children will test their limits, not just with potty training, moms we know this.

Your friend brags that their child was potty trained before the age of 2. Your nephew refused to be potty trained he started school. Potty Training is another developmental milestone. Let your child set the pace. If your child is not ready, even the best of us can't make them go.

What are some of the signs that your child is ready?

* You're changing fewer wet diapers. A toddler who stays dry for an hour or two at a stretch - and occasionally awakes without wetness - is physically ready to take the next step.

* Your child's bowel movements are predictable. A regular BM schedule will help you anticipate when to pull out the potty

* He broadcasts bodily functions. Some children announce ("I pooping now!"). Others communicate through less-verbal means - say, by retreating to a corner or producing a preemptive grunt. If your child shows he's aware of his body's functions, he's ready to try them out on the potty.

* He hates dirty diapers. At some point, most toddlers go through a (fleeting) stage when they're averse to personal messes - they're eager to escape their soiled diapers as soon as possible. This is a golden opportunity to kick off the potty-training period.

* He's able to perform simple undressing. When nature calls, the potty won't be of much use unless your child can quickly yank down his pants and pull-ups or underwear. Similarly, girls should be able to hike up their skirts in a flash.

* He understands bathroom lingo. It's important that your child understands and is able to use the family's words for bathroom functions and any associated body parts.

* He demands a live demonstration. If your child has toileting on the brain, he'll want to see how the experts (read: his parents) do it. So don't be surprised if your child follows you into the bathroom to have a look.

www.ourearthfriendlybabies.com