The Quick Brief
You're going to hear a lot about potty training as the second birthday approaches. Grandparents will have opinions. Other parents will share success stories. Here's the truth: most children aren't fully ready to train until 24 months or later, and pushing too early backfires. Your job right now is to watch for signs, not force schedules.
What's Happening with Toddler
Between 22-23 months, your toddler may start showing early signs of potty training readiness—or they may not. Both are normal. According to the AAP, children may show signs of readiness as early as 18 months, but most don't actually complete daytime training until 30-36 months. That's a big window.
Readiness signs to watch for include: staying dry for 2 hours or more at a time, discomfort with wet or dirty diapers, ability to pull pants up and down, following simple two-step directions, showing interest when others use the bathroom, and communicating when they need to go (even if it's after the fact).
Cognitively, your toddler is developing the ability to recognize bodily sensations and connect them to actions. This takes time. The neural pathways between "I feel pressure in my bladder" and "I should go to the potty" aren't fully formed yet. You can't rush neurological development.
Imaginative play is blossoming at this stage. Your child might pretend to cook, care for dolls, or have conversations with toys. This is healthy cognitive development—their brain is learning to represent reality symbolically. It's also why they may suddenly be interested in playing "potty" with dolls.
What's Happening with Mom
The prospect of potty training brings mixed feelings for most parents. On one hand, the idea of ditching diapers is financially and practically appealing. On the other hand, it's another developmental milestone that requires energy, patience, and consistency.
If your partner is the primary daytime caregiver, potty training will likely fall largely on her shoulders during the initial phase. This can feel like additional pressure, especially if there are expectations from daycare, family, or friends about timing.