Potty training a child is part of growing up. The process also brings relief the parents. The child may find the idea of diapers convenient, but they are messy and not environmentally friendly Unless the parent uses cloth or biodegradable diapers, the discarded disposable diapers will sit in a landfill for centuries.

Opinions on when to potty train a child vary. Some sources suggest waiting until the child is ready. A book will occasionally recommend waiting for the child to show an interest in the toilet. The decision on when to teach a child to learn to use the potty is ultimately up to the parent, but it generally occurs when the child is about two years old.

When a parent decides to potty train his child, he has several options to choose from. Many parents will force a child through the process. Forcing a child to learn to use the restroom takes time. As long as the training is done gently, it does not have any impact on the child’s later life, despite the opinions of Sigmund Freud and his followers. A parent should complete the process long before the child grows out of diapers and training pants. It will save the parent money and it will save the child embarrassment.