The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Potty Training Problems [Mass Market Paperback]

Alison D. Schonwald (Author), George G. Sheldon (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Pocket Idiot's Guide | Publication Date: June 6, 2006

It's one of life's first rites of passage: somewhere around the age of 26 months, toddlers are introduced to the potty. Some take to it right away; some need a little more time or encouragement. Some, however, seem to have no interest in training at all or, indeed, seem bound and determined to resist it. And no matter how often a neighbor or relative tells you 'No one ever packs diapers when they go way to college', you're beginning to think your child might be destined to enter the Guinness Book of Records for longest continuous use of Pampers and Pull-Ups. In "The Pocket Idiot's Guide[trademark] to Potty Training Problems", Alison D. Schonwald, also known as 'The Poop Doctor' of Boston's Children's Hospital, addresses the needs of parents and their reluctant toddlers in a warm, reassuring manner that will calm nerves and ease tension all around. This work helps you: find out where the reluctance comes from - or is it simply your child's way of taking charge; take stock: is the problem your child's or the result of your hectic schedule; inspire your child by making your bathroom kid-friendly; locate the problem: multiple caregivers, several approaches and expectations - confused toddler; design a step-by-step plan to training; determine when - or if - it's time to take a potty training break; use praise but not punishment; and, implement incentives that work.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alison D. Schonwald, M.D., FAAP, is an attending physician in the Developmental Medicine Center of Children's Hospital in Boston, where she has worked since 2001. In that time, she has been the director of the Child Development Rotation, medical director of the Preschool Testing Team, and course director of Developmental Pediatrics. In addition, she is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has written and contributed to dozens of publications, abstracts, and presentations and has been interviewed on potty training and other toddler issues on CNN and in the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, and online. George G. Sheldon is a full-time writer based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, this is his nineteenth book. When he was 14, George received his first published credit. Now a grandfather and in his fifth decade of writing for publication, the subjects of his books have varied over the years. One of his latest books, When the Smoke Cleared at Gettysburg, earned a place on the Washington Post's best-seller list.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Alpha (June 6, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159257517X
• ISBN-13: 978-1592575176
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #670,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for potty resistors & older trainees, February 13, 2008

By 

Sara's mommy (King of Prussia, PA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Potty Training Problems (Mass Market Paperback)

This book helped with my potty resistant older child. There aren't a lot of sources out there for such a situation. But this book helped tremendously. We tried practically every method to train our child over the course of 18 months but she simply refused. Once we applied several ideas in this book, it was like a different child (more like a different parent/trainer).

Admittedly, I had to read this book several times before things actually clicked. But the bottom line was, this book (and 'The No Cry Potty Training Solution') gave me the ability to "create" a potty plan that worked for our child.

I wished I found this sooner. It would have saved me a lot of money on un-needed gadgets and resources.

So parents of potty resistant children, this book is for you!!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you is just not enough., May 11, 2007

By 

J. G. Brown - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Potty Training Problems (Mass Market Paperback)

Great, great, great. This book is clear, concise and based logically on accurate behavioral learning principles and positive (not attachment) pareting. It skips long discussions about the more conceptual issues in toilet training and is practical. I was caught in a potty power struggle with my 3 y.o. and with a two-day read of this book, we are positive and motivated. He's back on track and went with only one accident today! An aside - the book has wonderful points of general parenting advice scattered throughout that will help you immensely if you are open.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars May work for some, July 19, 2007

By 

S. Monson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Potty Training Problems (Mass Market Paperback)

When my son was 3 1/2 I bought the book. I thought some of the ideas were good, but what depressed me was to see the author refer to "your child" as a toddler when I was struggling with my preschooler. Nevertheless, I was thankful for a book on children who are reluctant to be potty trained.
One suggestion the author stated was to cut out the bottom of a diaper and have the child sit on the toilet this way. My son freaked, screaming, "No! Mom! That diaper is broken!"
I am happy to announce now at age 4 he is trained, but he did this on his own without any radical techniques.