Let me paint you a picture. My son was 26 months old. I had read four potty training books, bought the little frog potty, put it in the bathroom with great ceremony, and announced we were doing big boy potty now. He sat on it for thirty seconds, stood up, walked to the corner of the living room, and did a wee on the carpet. Then looked at me. We waited another three months. And then it took four days. Timing is everything with potty training. Most toddlers show readiness signs somewhere between 18 months and 3 years. The average is around 27 to 32 months. Starting before your child is ready does not make the process faster. It actually makes it longer. Physical readiness means your toddler stays dry for at least two hours at a stretch. Cognitive readiness means they understand what the potty is for, can follow two-step instructions, and show some interest in the process. Watch for your toddler hiding to poo, telling you before they go rather than after, showing interest in the toilet, wanting to wear big kid underwear. When those signs appear consistently you are ready to start. The three-day method works well: stay home, put toddler in underwear, watch closely for signals, get to potty fast. Praise every success. Do not punish accidents. If you try and it is a battle for more than two weeks, it is okay to stop and try again in a month or two. That is not giving up. That is reading your child.