What is an appropriate response to a mother concerned about her 3-year-old son not being toilet trained?

Advise that the child is developing normally is the most appropriate response to a mother concerned about her 3-year-old son not being toilet trained. At the age of 3 years, many children are still in the process of toilet training, and it is common for some children to achieve this milestone later than others. Developmental norms indicate that while some children may be fully toilet trained by this age, others may not be ready yet. It’s important to reassure the mother that development varies significantly among children, and readiness for toilet training can be influenced by a variety of factors, including physical, cognitive, and emotional readiness.

In circumstances where heavy concerns arise or if there are additional signs indicating an underlying issue, further evaluation could be warranted. However, for a typical situation with no other concerns, providing reassurance and guidance about the normal range of development is the best approach.