Any new mom these days looks to books for resources for everything involving baby stuff. I purchased this book when my daughter was ready to learn to use the toilet on her own. I found the book to be trite at times, and rather archaic. Most of the methods in this book read more like training a dog than a child. It's not so much humiliating in the sense that the methods would make a child feel bad about themselves, it's more like, "Are you kidding? I'm not a dog here." Punishing a child for making a mistake, yelling a resounding "NO" when they have an accident? That sounds a little like forcing a lefty to write with their other hand, just because it's "more normal" and "expected". Most people have figured out by now that those techniques are not really that effective. The reality is, potty training happens on the child's schedule, not the adults'. Do yourself a favor, save the seven bucks you would have spent on this book, buy yourself some bubble bath and relax in the tub instead. After all, how many teenagers do you know who never learned how to "go potty" all by themselves? I'm sure your kid will learn too...at their own pace and when they are ready.

I used this for my daughter, and it worked! She is very stubborn, but this was like a game. A lot of the terminology and dialogue is dorky and dated, but the basic ideas really work: Loose CLOTH training pants, A doll that wets, which the child teaches first, rewards that taper off after more and more steps are completed, time soley dedicated to pottying, and practicing after accidents (but not ten times, for heavens sake). One reviewer didn't like the idea of confining you and child to one room for hours, but you do really need to eliminate distractions. If the kid isn't thinking of pottys, but the toys, the tv, games, etc, why would they bother to stop and say "I have to pee."? I used the no-distraction time to read a bunch of library books to her about potties and our bodies. So, we read a potty book, checked pants, read anther, checked pants, etc..... That kept the idea in her brain without confining her. Remember, kids shouldn't be treatedlike mini-adults -- this simplifies it in their heads before moving to real-life experience, instead of the other way around. Another reviewer thought the practicing after accidents was mean, but you don't need to make it punishment, rather an encouragement "See, you can run to the potty when you have to pee! See! You can run from the kitchen, and the living room, and your bedroom! You know how! You're a big girl! See!"
This book has many great ideas you can and should use

As others have said, this 30-year-old book is in desperate need of a new edition. That aside, I this method did not work for my son. We had tried traditional potty training for a few weeks prior to this method and he had been resistant. Therefore, he was resistant to thismethod too - he knew what was going on and didn't want any part of it. I think this method can only work if your child has had no potty experience whatsoever.

I accidentally tumbled upon this book online and ordered it right away due to its attractive title. I really wanted to potty train my 28 month old daughter for good.
Her history: I started placing her on the pot ever since she was 4 months... and she would poop in the pot! I never used to have soiled (just wet) diapers unless i was out somewhere. I watched her face scrunch up and used to tun to the toilet and voila she would poop..By the time she was 8 months she would tell me she needed to go by squirt sounds. This all ended when we went on a trip and she got scared of the toilet at 18 motnhs.. then she started screaming whenever she neared a toilet. Ever since all my effort was wasted down the drain. She would never make a BM on the seat.. just occasionally urinate.
THis book helped me get her off diapers for good.
some tips:
1) train your child to obey you (not throw tantrums) before you attempt this method (otherwise u'll be frustrated)
2) I didnt use a potty chair, I bought a stool so she would step to the toilet directly
3) better to train in the summer when its not cold and kids dont pee due to chilliness
4) We are Muslim and we wash with water after using the toilet so that step I added (I skipped the kid cleaning up his mess and running around doing practice trails wearing his dirty pants - dont want urine all over myu house)
5) Its easier to train in a smaller house (apartment) with preferably no carpeting cuz accidents can get messy! We live in a 3 story house so a lot of her accidents took place just trying to locate a bathroom in time!
6) Make sure u know the method like the back of your hand beofre starting - dont plan on readin "notes" while training.. This book doesnt have a numerical step guide so it takes a while to swallow the concept.
7) We live in a home occupied by 11 people so I had to wait for a day when everyone left for a trip so my daughter wont be distracted
8) you and your child should get a good nigthts sleep and a good breakfast cuz it can be exhausting!
9) for nighttime/naps just make the child feel the wet bed and say "big girls dont wet beds" and have her help take off the sheets - it worked for me (i selpt next to her for two nights in case she woke up at night to tell me she had to go
10) sometimes kids get constipated when potty training - they refuse to do a BM and it hurts..day 3 she wouldnt poop until i put her in a bathtub full of warm water.
a spoonful of oil helped her empty her stomach.
11) I would replace the candy with healthier snacks (she got sick of the salty sugary treats and wouldnt take them as a reward!)
12) I would train at a time when the child is the happiest.. so if shes not a morning persoon , dont force this routine on her early in the morning!
She had 6 accidnets Day 1, 3 Day 2, 5 Day 3 (that's because I lost my temper)
Overall I am extremely pleased, esp when I feel her dry pants!! Your attitude really counts.. (if youre not the type to follow detailed protocol, skip it or you'll end up being too frustrated)

I used this book for my oldest. I basically just used some of the technics, it took more than a day and thats fine, children shouldn't be pressured into using to potty. I didn't like that they said to put the potty in the kitchen...who wants to go potty in a kitchen?? It belongs in a bathroom if possible. I did put her in training underpants, not those pull ups that are really just diapers. My daughter did learn that if she wet herself she had to change her clothes, I didn't make her think I was disappointed in her for this, that's just mean.

The book is old fashion and I don't think it's right to make the entire day about having to use the potty. They are still babies and this is all new to them. It shouldn't be forced on them, eventually they will all learn to use the toilet. Some will take longer than others, one day is silly!

My little one is 19 mo. I just bought her a potty, I plan to let her just examine it and be curious about it for a while. Like I said it is wrong to pressure your child into something that is so new and different to them.