Linda Sonna - The Everything Potty Training Book: Professional, Reassuring Advice to Help You and Your Child Through This Challenging Time

THE EVERYTHING POTTY TRAINING BOOK

Professional, reassuring advice to help you and your child through this challenging time

Linda Sonna, Ph.D.

Copyright 2003, F+W Publications, Inc.

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.

Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company 57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A. www.adamsmedia.com

ISBN 13: 978-1-58062-740-5 (paperback)

ISBN 13: 978-1-60550-552-7 (EPUB)

ISBN 10: 1-58062-740-4

Printed in United States of America.

J I H G

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Sonna, Linda.

The everything potty training book / Linda Sonna.

p. cm. (An everything series book)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-58062-740-4

1. Toilet training. I. Title. II. Everything series.

HQ770.5 .S66 2003

649'.62 dc21

2002009828

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Illustrations by Barry Littmann.

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.

For information, call 1-800-289-0963.

Visit the entire Everything series at everything.com

THE Series

EDITORIAL

Publishing Director: Gary M. Krebs

Managing Editor: Kate McBride

Copy Chief: Laura MacLaughlin

Acquisitions Editors: Allison Carpenter Yoder and Bethany Brown

Development Editor: Christel A. Shea

Production Editor: Khrysti Nazzaro

PRODUCTION

Production Director: Susan Beale

Production Manager: Michelle Roy Kelly

Series Designer: Daria Perreault

Cover Design: Paul Beatrice and Frank Rivera

Layout and Graphics: Colleen Cunningham, Rachael Eiben, Michelle Roy Kelly, Daria Perreault, Erin Ring

THE Series

Dear Reader,

Parents around the world begin potty training infants and babies using gentle, compassionate methods geared to their development. Meanwhile, the customary age for starting potty training in the United States has been continually delayed. Now, when training begins just as toddlers are starting to assert their independence, deeper issues often surface. Too often, potty training becomes a source of frustration and conflict instead of a time for teaching and learning.

When their child's potty training stalls, parents must realize that although they can coach and encourage, they cannot control their child. Toddlers are full-fledged people with minds and wills of their own. When parents can accept this sometimes difficult reality, they open the door to a healthier relationship. Then, the challenges of the training process pale in comparison to the deeper pleasure they derive from parenting.

As your guide on this leg of your parenting journey, I urge you to be patient with yourself as well as your youngster. How long it takes a child to reach the final potty training destination doesn't matter every normal child eventually arrives. If, in the process, you learn to serve as your child's teacher, coach, and cheerleader, far greater treasures will be yours. And those treasures will last a lifetime.

Sincerely,