An easy life in 1 week...can it be true. (Potty Training In One Week - Gina Ford)

Member Name: lmspinkprincess1

Product:	Potty Training In One Week - Gina Ford
Date:	06/08/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to follow guide with real life examples.

Disadvantages: maybe not actually training in a week, more like 2 0r 3 weeks.

This is a pocket sized book ay Toddler Guru Gina Ford that is optimistically called Potty Training in One Week.

The first thing I loved about this book is it's length. It is short and straight to the point. Some of these toddler books, including other Gina Ford ones, are long and full of things that are irrelevant to your own child but this one is perfect provided your child meets the criteria in the chapter regarding signs of readiness for potty training.

When your child is 18 months and recognises simple instructions such as 'give mommy the toy', if they have words for wee and poop and can have a dry nappy between changes every now and again and are interested in pulling their pants up and down, they could be ready to start.

Although the title says training in a week, thats not strictly true as the book suggests two preparation stages consisting of getting your child to sit on the potty for 5-10 minutes at regular times during the day for a week or two. After this trial period the seven day plan begins.

Day 1- Explains the processes of rewarding your child with treats and/or a sticker chart, and not getting cross or negative if there are any accidents. At this stage you should let your child run around with no pants on if possible and place them on the potty every 20-30 minutes for 5-10 minutes each time or until they have done something in the potty. Day 2 is similar but suggests you ask your child if they need to go rather than actually putting them on the potty, reminding them where it is if they need it.

Whilst following days one and two, you should keep a tick chart of successes or accidents and if there are more accidents than successes you should think about reverting to the prep stages.

Day three involves a short outting. You should allow them to sit on the potty for a while before leaving the house and never put them back in nappys at all other than sleep times. This is a definate no no according to Gina.

Days 4-7 involve perfecting the skills and moving the potty gradually away into the bathroom eventually getting your child to try the big toilet.

I tried this 7 day plan on my 22 month old boy and was suprised at how well he did on the first day, on the second day he went backwards but I left him in pants all day except bedtime and although we ended up running out of pants I refused to go back to nappies or pull-ups. He is getting there gradually and now maybe 2 weeks later he uses the potty in the day, on his own if he is pant free or with my help as he cant get the hang of pulling his pants up and down alone yet.

He has been on several outtings to the supermarkets and shops and to friends houses and he has never had an accident whilst we are out. It is a bit embarrassing carrying a potty around with you however.

I would reccomend this book to anyone but you have to have the time and patience to stick rigidly to the rules. Gina suggests you devote a week of completely free time to your child, evn turning your phone off so you need to be disciplined but it does work. It made my life easier.

Summary: Follow it rigidly and provided your child is old enough it should be a massive help.