I have heard that it takes longer to potty train boy than girls, so here is my question. My ds is 20 months old and on a few occasions, after his nap, I have found his diaper dry, also on a couple of occasions first thing in the morning ( this worried me though, I am paranoid about dehydration!). Anyway, he is also SOMETIMES telling me when his diaper is dirty in his own way. I guess my question is, are these signs that it is time to start introducing the potty? Should I just start all out potty training or take it slow? Help, please, I am clueless!!!!

I'd say that you could introduce the idea of the potty just to get him used to it and what it is for. I don't believe in pushing the toilet training too early because you really have to wait until they are physically ready (which is a very individual thing). My son is almost 2 1/2 now and I don't think that he is quite ready yet. However he does sit on the potty (often asks to) and we talk about it (so he has an understanding of what should happen on the potty). On one occasion a couple of weeks ago he told me that he was going to do a "poo poo" and agreed to sit on the potty to do it (and was so proud of himself). But since then he has only been able to tell me after he has done it in his nappy. At this stage I probably would be putting him on the potty much more regularly during the day if I wasn't 32 weeks pregnant and sick half the time.

My DS is just a little younger than your son. He has shown interest and tells me sometimes before he has a bm. After some research this is the approach we are taking.
1) we bought a potty chair and had him just sit on it clothed when ever I went to the potty.
2) right now we put him on the potty no pants when he say he has to go. He has never one.
3) in a couple of weeks I plan on putting him on the potty on a regular basis during primetimes like after breakfast before and afer naps ect.
4) we then plan to ease in to certain amount of time that he plays without a diaper
5) finally we think we will have a couple days without any bottoms on.

This is our plan of course it may change.

Our son is most definitely a routine and ease into it kinda guy. If we just waited till he was older and sprung the idea on him he would probably lose it. Hopefully easing into it will help us gain sucess.

Good luck in your quest and know we are right in the trenches with you.

NZ Mummy I agree!!!

A few Mum's actually told me not to even bother until DS was 3 and that's what I did and I found it a breeze because he was mentally and physically ready - he was very blaze about it until then and I felt that if I was continually cleaning up accidents and fussing over that, it could be a bit of a hinderance to him if he wasn't ready.

I received a lot of ridicule for this but he's my kid, not anyone elses.

I found absolutely minimal accidents and an eager child who wanted to be a "big boy".

My sister also gave me a great tip and that was to let DS run around naked in the yard so at times he could watch himself pee and therefore learn where the pee comes from and be more aware of that. It did help him I feel.

DD was easier (I have twins), I T/T her at 2 and that also was minimal accidents. She was 100% ready.

Boys and girls are soooo different on this issue.

DS has only just started going "standing up" like a big boy in the last 3 months, before he'd always "sit down" on the training seat. He's really thrilled about the "going like daddy" thing.

If they show interest, give it a whirl. But don't stress if it doesn't work out. So many boys are 3 or more before they are ready.( my saying is 3 years, 3 months) 20 months seems young but based on what you said, who knows? Try it, and if after awhile it isn't working, stop. Potty traiing is a lot about starting the training and stopping the training so mom doesn't go insane and the kids aren't stressed! :lol:

With all of mine, when they're about a year I set them on the potty. Just to see what they'll do. Some have taken to it well and are soon ready to start 'training' Others, don't 'get it' at all.

When mine start waking up dry in the mornings and/or after long naps, I get out the potty.

I don't push it.

I just set them on it in the mornings, before and after naps and whatever happens, happens. Most, by the time they're 18mo - 2 yr, are sitting on the potty frequently. I also will have them come to their potty whenever I go during the day. Sometimes they use it, sometimes they don't.

In short...I bring the potty out early, but don't expect much. I just introduce them then let them go at their pace with much encouragement on my part and big 'congrats' when they do something. :)

Sounds a lot like my little guy; he is 18 months and wakes up from naps, and some mornings, dry as a bone. I also notice that he is able to go longer between peeing than he used to. However, he doesn't have the verbal skills to tell me hae has to go, and I think he is too young to understand when he has to go, so I am holding off for a while. I think just letting him hang around the bathroom with you is a big help because he won't be so scared of the "big event" if it is familair to him.

Thanks for all the great advice. I think I will start introducing the potty, but not train for a while. He already hangs out in the bathroom with me ( not a moment to myself :oops: ) so maybe this will help.