Quite by accident, we found that it could be useful to have a bit of peer pressure.  Our eldest boy was at a grand age of 5 years before he was finally completely toilet-trained.  The Final Frontier was conquered when he went to his school camp and was laughed at because he needed to wear a diaper.  We did not deliberately pushed him into the situation to be shamed.  In fact, I called up his principal to let her know of his 'predicament' and she promised that the teachers would exercise sensitivity and discreetly change the children who still needed night diaper.  Unfortunately/Fortunately, he was found out.  After that, he was more motivated to co-operate with us in order to get rid of the night diaper.

So if a school camp is not to be had, you can invite some older children over for a sleep-over party so that your child can see how his older friends are not wearing diaper at night, and hopefully, this will motivate him to follow suit.

A Note on Underpants

It didn't occur to me that there was this Chinese thing about boys wearing underpants until my mother-in-law complained about it.  Apparently, the older folks practised not letting boys wear underwear until they are pre-teens but for little girls, they have to wear panties right from the beginning.  For boys, they are afraid that wearing the underpants would be too 'hot' for the boys and it will affect their fertility later on. For girls, well, their modesty has to be protected from Day 1.  

For me, from the day my boys are off the diaper, except for the butt-naked-toilet-training days, they are made to wear underpants even at home (yes, despite my mother-in-law's complaint).  I just feel that not wearing underwear is rather 'uncivilised'.  Underpants cannot be hotter than diapers, so moving from diapers to underpants is already one big improvement.  Eventually, they will have to wear underwear.  Rather than risk having grown boys not used to wearing underwear later on, it is better to start them right from the beginning.  Besides, the modesty of both boys and girls must be protected.

A Note on Potty

There are plenty of fancy potties in the market, some with all kinds of bells and whistles.  They are not necessary.  A simple potty will do.  It does not have to be branded or look like a throne.  I have never spent more than $10 on a potty.  The latest one I bought from IKEA (picture below) for my youngest boy cost me only $4.90 and looks great.

My 21 month old wearing a pair of open-crotch pants and staring at his output in the IKEA potty. 

A Note on Open-Crotch Pants

I find open-crotch pants (picture above) very useful for toilet-training.  Open-crotch pants were used in China in the past as the parents practised IPT.  Even now, they can still be bought in China.  I have some to spare as my mom bought quite a lot for me from China.  So if anyone is interested in it, drop me a note.  The length of the pants is 9.5" and the waist 6.5" (elastic not extended).  Price : $2 (shipping not inclusive).

**Note : If you are interested in the books Diaper Free or Infant Potty Training, drop me a note.  I have a couple of brand new copies for sale at $32 each (shipping not inclusive).  

Disclaimer : The information shared in this article is not meant to substitute professional medical advice.  Please bring your child to the doctor if you have questions or concerns regarding the health of your child.