Potty training readiness

Lately potty training has been on my mind a little bit. 

A few of my online mom-friends (Facebook group) who have kids the same age as Ace, have started with potty training.

If cats can learn how to do it, I'm sure Ace will as well..

And then I know a few other friends who are now slowly starting this as well, so of course we are discussing it.

I already read a bit about it.. what signs to look for to find out if your child is ready to start potty training, etc. But today I stumbled over a proper checklist. Nice. 

Since Markus is home with Ace these days I just forwarded this list to him as well. 

For reference cause I know we are not there yet. 

However to my surprise, I already got the list back since Markus has taken it on him to answer each point. 

Please find below the interesting responses I received (in kursiv and red):

Potty training readiness checklist:

Physical signs 

□ Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily. 

- Fluctuating!

□ Urinates a fair amount at one time.

- How the heck should I know? I am NOT measuring with a cup.

□ Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times. 

- What the heck is a well-formed bowel movement??? IT’S A FRICKN’ TURD!
- Predictable times? Sure: DAILY 

□ Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

- Nope

Behavioral signs 

□ Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes. 

- …while watching TV! Easy peasy.

□ Can pull his pants up and down. 

- Way too often! Mainly DOWN!

□ Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper. 

- He couldn’t care less.

□ Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear). 

- Or hands you the toilet paper! Yeah.
- Especially the watching part is kind of creepy.

- Yes, he often wears mommy's underwear - ON HIS HEAD!

□ Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you. 

- He is too busy trying to climb on you.

□ Demonstrates a desire for independence. 

- What? By writing the Declaration of Independence? Sure.

□ Takes pride in his accomplishments. 

- Big time!

□ Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet. 

- How the heck should I teach him? Sit him down until he wants to get up? He doesn’t get the concept quite yet.

□ Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one. 

- In the washroom? During lunch? WTH?

- He is extremely cooperative when I do what he wants me to do.

Cognitive signs 

□ Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy." 

- Sure. But doesn’t mean that he is going to do it, though.

□ Understands the value of putting things where they belong. 

- He does it sometimes. How the heck should I know if he understands the value?
Ask him??? The answer is always the same: ‘Da…deeeeeee.’ SO GO FIGURE!

□ Has words for urine and stool. 

- Nope.

□ Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.

- Dream on!…