The Cold-Turkey-Underwear Approach
The method: Let your child pick out several pairs of fun, big-kid underpants. Then, on the appointed day, make a production of putting on the underwear and let the spills fall where they may.
Pros: Most kids enjoy feeling like a grown-up. When they do have accidents, they feel the discomfort much more acutely than they would with training pants.
Cons: You, of course, feel the discomfort much more acutely too, since there will be lots to clean up in the early days of the process.
Who it worked for:"Training pants seemed like a waste. Christopher, who was two and a half, didn't care at all if they got wet," says Susan Melgares, of Manhattan, KS. "But having wet underpants helped him learn to make it to the bathroom on time."
Is it right for you? Not if you, your child, or other caregivers have a low tolerance for mess. You'll resent your child, and he'll feel greatly put upon. On the other hand, if you're very patient and can stick close to home during the process, your child seems to be truly motivated, and you've got a washing machine at the ready, underpants are widely believed to be a better way to go than disposables.
