The Readiness Myth

This has its own page, because it is such an important subject, and one that hinders the toileting journeys of countless families:

Since the introduction of consumer-available disposable diapers in 1959, the average potty training age in North America has doubled. Take a look at where we’ve been and where we seem to be headed:

In just a couple of generations, we have lost the cultural knowledge to help our children reach toilet independence sooner. Why? Are our children physiologically less developed, or somehow less capable than they were only 60 years ago? No. Instead, along with the advent of the disposable diaper, the chairman of the Pampers Institute, working to promote the use of disposable diapers, began a “wait for readiness” campaign. And that campaign has been so successful that it has permeated every corner of North American child-rearing culture and entered our collective subconscious. That campaign has been so successful that we now live in doubt of our children’s capabilities and live in fear of damaging our children if we start the potty training process “too soon.”

There is a lot of pressure to delay potty training. Pressure from partners, caregivers, other parents, and even healthcare workers. This pressure is meant with the best of intentions and your child’s best interest in mind, but is often coming from a place of misinformation – that cultural collective subconscious I mentioned.

If you are ready, your child is ready. It doesn’t matter how old they are or what their skills are – you can begin your journey to a toilet independent child now. I hereby give you permission to start, no matter the age or stage of your child. Historically and geographically, your child is capable now.

If you feel like you need a little more support or community to start or continue with your EC or Potty Training Practice, come join the Go Diaper Free of Toronto Facebook Group. It’s a private support group I have just made to help build a supportive community around these practices. While geared towards Toronto, anyone with interest and looking for support is welcome to join!