老实交待，在育儿方面，爸爸妈妈是有些崇洋媚外的。
每每看到树上有年龄相近的兄弟姐妹已经不包尿布，
妈妈就酸葡萄地学着老美的口气，
留个脚印----
“啊呀，太早potty training，
会对孩子心灵造成创伤的”
呵呵，爸爸妈妈自己都是小小年纪就被把屎把尿，
也没见心灵上留了啥疤嘛！

小美昨天满17个月了，
她的POTTY TRAINING计划还根本没有提到议事日程上来。
最早，估计也要到今年夏天了吧。

昨天收到在babycenter上订阅的weekly letter，
有篇关于potty training的文章，
读了以后，
越发觉得我们继续给她包尿布的决定很有理论根据呢。

文章贴过来和大家分享下。

Reviewed by Sarah Pearson, M.D., September 2006

It probably seems like just yesterday that you changed your toddler's first diaper, and now you're wondering if it's time to start toilet training. There's no magic age at which children are ready to start learning how to use the potty, but some develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills between 18 and 24 months of age. Many parents don't start potty training until their children are 2 1/2 to 3 years old, when daytime bladder control has become more reliable. And some children aren't interested in potty training until they're closer to 3, or even 4.

Use the checklist below to measure your toddler's progress toward readiness, and keep in mind that starting before your child is truly ready doesn't mean you'll finish sooner — it's more likely that the process will just end up taking longer.

You don't have to wait until you've checked off every item to start training. Just look for a general trend toward independence and an understanding of what it means to go to the bathroom like a grown-up.

Physical signs

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

Urinates a fair amount at one time.

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

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

Behavioral signs

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

Can pull his pants up and down.

Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.

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

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

Demonstrates a desire for independence.

Takes pride in his accomplishments.

Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.

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

Cognitive signs

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

Understands the value of putting things where they belong.

Has words for urine and stool.

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.