Rise in children starting school still in nappies…
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009According to teachers, the number of children starting school while still in nappies has risen dramatically. It is claimed that some parents are simply too busy to potty train their children, whilst others take a more ‘relaxed’ approach, claiming to be waiting unti their child is ‘ready’. Read on…
The past 15 years has seen children wearing nappies for considerably longer periods- in 1989 most children were out of nappies by the age of 2. Nowadays, where the ‘norm’ for potty training is between 2-3 years, some parents wait until their children is or 4 or 5, sometimes even older.
In our opinion this is likely down to a combination of factors:
1) Many mothers must go out to work full time out of financial necessity, which results in less time to spend with their children, so they simply do not have the time to work on training them to use the toilet. This strikes me as a horribly sad situation, and also makes one wonder what other implications on the childs mental and emotional development this may have.
2) In our society there appears to be a growing population of parents who are not in themselves stable or ready to be responsible for a child. They often dont have much knowledge, experience or motivation to strive to do the best for their children, and therefore are not particularly bothered by what age their child potty trains.
3) The increased use of disposable nappies is an undeniable factor in this situation. Disposable nappies are so ultra absorbent that the infant is unaware when they have wet, and so do nothing to encourage a child to use the potty instead. Even ‘Pull- up’ pants are a marketing con, they are often just as absorbent as regular nappies, so their only difference is that they pull up rather than wrap on. But if the child does not recognise when they have wet in them, really, what is the point? Opting for cotton training pants is a much more effective option.
Whilst of course it must be recognised those with mental or physical disabilities will perhaps understandably be in nappies at older ages, and some children will naturally be ready for potty training different ages, the growing number of children attending school still in nappies is a concern, and a sad reflection of the state of our society.
In addtion, whilst it may seem trivial to some, as most of these children will be wearing disposables until they are 4-5 years old, that is an awful amount of waste being added to the landfill- something that we are working hard to try to combat by promoting reusable nappies in younger infants.
Do share your thoughts and opinions on this one…
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I’ve used real nappies on both of my children, I won’t step on my soapbox about disposables. (I can’t stand them!) But really, I think parents have become too lazy in this modern parenting world. Don’t look for signs, just do it. Usually a child by 2 and half is ready. Girls can sometimes be done much younger! I have two boys. My eldest now 4, was potty trained at 2 and a half and was dry at night way before he was 3. I’m now starting on my youngest, but as its summer - making full use of the garden (when not raining) - he’s not quite 2 and half and still managing! Its touch and go for a few weeks, till they grasp it. But number 1 rule is don’t put them back into nappies! It confuses them!
There are other reasons for older children and adults using diapers and they are safety and convienience. Children have been attacked in public restrooms and some restrooms are just plain disgusting. There are times when crouds make it impossible to use a restroom. There are times when one just can’t go. So often times in our family both parents and children will wear diapers. I don’t know anyone else who does this but we find it convienient.