Potty Training: When Is It Time?

Potty Training:  When Is It Time?

Dr. Carla C. Stanford, CFLE

MSU Extension Service

Area Agent, Child & Family Development

carlas@ext.msstate.edu

There has been much ado about potty training, also known as toilet learning.  When to start?  How to start?  We could make a series out of this but for now, let’s focus on WHEN to start.

When you notice certain behaviors in a child, it could be time to start potty training. Below are some questions that should be asked when considering potty training a child.

1. Is the child at least 18 to 20 months old?  (On average, a child’s elimination muscles are physically not ready until this age.)  Nationally, the average age for female training is 22 to 24 months and 26 months for males.

2. Can the child stay dry for long periods of time throughout the day?

3. Can child remain dry for at least most of the night?

4. Is child uncomfortable when wearing a wet or soiled diaper?

The answers to these questions should be “yes” when considering the beginning of potty training.  Good luck as you work through this process with your child!

Dr. Stanford is a nationally certified Family Life Educator currently serving as Child and Family Development Agent with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.  For more information on child and family development or to book an event, contact Stanford at (662) 489-3910 or email her at carlas@ext.msstate.edu .  Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or group affiliation, age, disability, or veteran status.



Cattlemen Host Blood Drive

The Oktibbeha County Cattlemen and the MSU Collegiate Cattlemen will be hosting a BLOOD DRIVE on October 5, 2010 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in front of the MSU Colvard Student Union. There will be FREE hamburgers and tshirts for the first 50 donors! If you would like to sign up for a specific time to give, come the the Oktibbeha County Extension Office or the MSU Animal and Dairy Science Department.

Annual Oktibbeha County Farm Bureau Meeting

This year’s annual Oktibbeha County Farm Bureau meeting will held at the Oktibbeha County Lake. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. with agriculture related activities for the whole family. At 6:30 p.m. a picnic style meal will be served. Come and join in the fun as we celebrate agriculture! Contact the Oktibbeha County Farm Bureau Office at 323-5662 to RSVP or comment on this post!

Army Worms & Weeds in Lawns

Armyworms & Weeds: Turf Nemesis

            It’s been a long, hot summer here in north Mississippi and your turf is probably showing the wear of the season.  You’ve watered on a regular basis and kept the grass alive, but you still have a few weeds that refuse to leave.  With one more push, you can finally be rid of these pesky weeds and get that front yard clean again, maybe. 

Killing Summer Weeds

The first thing you need to do is identify what type of grass you have.  Not all grasses can be treated with the same product.  The second job is to identify the weeds in your lawn.  Once you have done this, you can begin to work on the problem.  A labeled post-emergent weed-killer will remove unsightly weeds now and should keep the lawn clean for the rest of this year.  You need to be absolutely sure what you are applying is labeled for your turf type.  The wrong chemical can wipe out the weeds, right along with the turf. 

Stopping Winter Weeds       

You should also consider treating your turf with a Winterizer and Weed Preventer (Pre-emergent).  The winterizer is a root building fertilizer that helps sustain the turf through the dormant period by providing phosphorus and potassium, but no Nitrogen.  The weed-preventer helps to keep the annual winter weeds from germinating.  You know, the wild garlic and the purple henbit that appear as if from nowhere in late January.  This product needs to be applied before soil temperatures begin to drop, so try and get it out before September 10^th. 

Turf Pests     

One last pest to be on the lookout for is the Fall Armyworm.  These creatures are army green in color and have an inverted Y on the top of their head.  They feed day or night and can quickly destroy a small lawn.  I have had numerous calls in the last few weeks about them.  They can be treated using carbaryl (Sevin), acephate (Orthene) or other labeled products.  Don’t delay if you find them in your turf.   

Almost Through       

The good news is that we only mow our lawns an average of 4 times after September 1^st.  This means that outdoor chore is almost over for another year.  Remember to leave the turf a little taller for added winter protection. 

Keep these tips in mind to help protect and prepare your turf for the coming years.  If you have any questions, please contact your local county Extension office at (662) 323-5916 or visit our website at http://msucares.com. 

Jeff Wilson, PhD, Area Horticulture Agent, Northeast Mississippi, Mississippi State University Extension Service

Entry Deadline Today for 2010 Bulldog Invitational Livestock Show

2010 BULLDOG INVITATIONAL LIVESTOCK SHOW will be held October 2, 2010
at the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville, MS.

Show Order: Dairy Cattle, Market Lambs, Steers, Commercial Beef Heifers, and Beef Breeding

...Dairy Check-In: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Show at 9:00 a.m.
Lamb Check-In: 9:00-10:00 a.m. Show following Dairy Show
Beef Check-In: 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Show following Market Lamb Show

Entry Fee: $10.00 per entry
Make Check Payable to: Oktibbeha County Livestock Association
All fees are nonrefundable unless the show is cancelled.

ENTRY DEADLINE: September 1, 2010
After September 1, fees will be $15 per entry and $5 for showmanship.
NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER SEPTEMBER 20, 2010
All Registrations must be sent in on a 195Livestock Exhibit Entry Form
NO ENTRIES WILL BE PROCESSED WITHOUT ENTRY FEES – NO FAXED ENTRIES
(See your local Extension Service 4-H Agent or FFA Advisor for 195 Form)

Mail Entries to: Oktibbeha County Extension Service, 106 Felix Long Drive, Starkville, MS 39759. For more information call (662) 323-5916See More

Oktibbeha County Annual Forestry Tour

Oktbbeha County Forestry Tour will be held on October 7, 2010 at the Kimbrough Tree Farm in the Sturgis area. If you plan to attend this event please RSVP by October 4th.

Oktibbeha County Exhibit Days

Oktibbeha County Exhibit Days will be held September 13 &14, 2010 at the Bost Extension Center. This is open to youth and adults in Oktibbeha County who have made clothing or crafts or canned or grown food etc. since October 2009. Here is the Exhibit Days Schedule of events:

Monday, September 13, 2010

3:00-6:00 p.m. Enter Exhibits

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Exhibits Judged

12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Exhibits Open for Public Viewing

3:00-5:00 p.m. Pick up Exhibits

Welcome to the Oktibbeha County Extension Service Blog!

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