Adjust Your Expectations Realistically

Don't anticipate that your little one will immediately master this communication skill - this is unrealistic and will only lead to disappointment. Think of potty training like learning to ride a bike. Your child needs time to develop both the physical awareness of their body's signals and the mental connection to act on those feelings. During the initial stages, your child is simultaneously learning to: Recognize the sensation of needing to go, Remember what that feeling means, Stop their current activity, Communicate their need, Follow through with action. That's a lot of complex steps for a young mind to coordinate!

Every child develops at their own pace. Some may start communicating their needs within a few days, while others might take several weeks to feel confident enough to speak up. Both timelines are completely normal and don't reflect your child's intelligence or your teaching ability. Rather than waiting for your child to tell you, focus on observing their body language and behavioral cues. Lower your expectations initially and celebrate small victories. If your child manages to tell you they need to go even while they're already starting to pee, that's progress!