Many parents choose the warmer months to start, but the process usually begins when a child shows the telltale signs they're ready to take the leap.

Are they ready?

• Your child becomes interested in watching other people use the toilet.
• They have dry nappies for long stretches of time.
• Your child tells you when they've done a wee or poo in their nappy.
• He or she has the knowhow to pull their own pants up or down.

When it's established that the timing's right, encourage your child to become aware of their sensations. Then, the next step is ensuring you have the right equipment to make the process as seamless as possible.

Equipment needed:

• Potty, or toilet seat with a stool to stand on.
• Disinfectant on hand for accidents.
• Books about toilet-training to read together.
• Reward chart to track successful attempts.

Once the decision has been made, you have to be committed to it. There's little value in starting then abandoning the process too soon. One of my boys was slower on the uptake than the other.

First days:

• Choose a start day.
• Take off the nappy and start to use pants.
• Dress them in easily removable clothes.
• Sit your child on the toilet or potty at times when they're most likely to experience a bowel movement (30 minutes after food or drink) but not for too long.
• Ask your child at different times throughout the day if they need to use the toilet.
• Praise your child when they're successful.
• When an accident occurs, clean it up without any fuss.
• Have realistic expectations - accidents are to be expected and are part of the process.

If you're well-prepared and the timing is right, the whole exercise can be pretty trouble-free. With my first three children, two had it within a week with very few accidents. For the other, it took about a month and there was plenty of washing. But once we'd made it, it was heaven to give the nappies away - until the next one!

Hygiene issues:

Wiping a bottom is a skill most toddlers won't be able to master, so it's up to you to make sure it's done properly.

Teach your child to wash their hands after every visit to the toilet.

Teach boys to aim into the toilet bowl. Some parents float a ping-pong ball in the toilet as encouragement.

Night-time woes:

Many children who remain dry during the day continue to use nappies or pull-ups at night. Usually a child won't stay dry at night until they are around four years old, and about 10 per cent of children will continue to wet their beds in the early primary years.

For more parenting advice from Antonia check out this week's issue of New Idea, on sale now!

How did you find toilet training your children? What's your piece of advice for other New Idea readers