Potty training can be a testing experience for parents. Sometimes progress is slow and there can be times where you feel all is going well only to have a day of multiple accidents.

For potty training to be successful, it's very important to ensure that your child feels like they are well supported, that you love them whether they are potty trained or not and that you keep a positive attitude toward your child.

Here are some things that are best avoided:

You can't force a child to go potty so don't even try. If you do it will only create a very angry and hostile atmosphere and can lead to more resistance. It can also create negative associations with using the bathroom that can be hard to undo later, and can also cause your child to regress which can be difficult for everyone. Instead approach this time of learning much the same as you did with other skills like sitting up, walking and talking.

Starting before they are ready. If they are unable to tell you what their needs are and can't handle the steps involved then put off training until later.

Don't start potty training during a time of stress for your child. Potty training can be stressful enough without other factors increasing the load. Even good stress can have a negative impact when it comes to potty training your child. Marriages, new babies, and during vacations can be just as unsettling for your child as a divorce, death or moving into a new home. If anything big and new is coming up in your lives, reconsider potty training until that time is past. Wait until life settles down and the normal routine re-establishes. This will make your child feel more secure and let them incorporate toileting easily with other routines.

Don't set deadlines in the training process or try to accomplish training in a set number of days - potty training your child is not something you can map out like you would a goal you set for yoruself. Young children function best when they are not under pressure. Remember too that they don't have the same concept of time that you do. It is better to be realistic with your time expectations and be wary about programs that promise that your child will be potty trained in three days, one day or even 100 days. They may work for some children but not all, and possibly not your child. Each child has their own temperament, developmental curve and skill level, so there is no set potty training method for any child.