This paper is meant to offer help. Learning to use the toilet requires children to master a complex set of skills. Breaking the process down into a series of small steps and incremental goals makes it a 'win-win' situation for both children and parents. Subsequent children tend to train earlier than firstborns because they benefit from the influence of siblings and their parents' experience the second-time around. Girls tend to train earlier than boys.
Constipation can be a major obstacle to stress free toilet training.
The readiness skills a child will need to master independent toileting are complicated and develop between the ages of 18 months and two and one half years. As he develops these skills he gives cues that help his parent to understand where he is in the process. These cues can be confusing and parents often wonder how to respond to them. Each child and his parent have his own personality and style and need to develop a style that works for both of them. That process takes time.