The process of toilet training can be a very challenging time for parents and once again there is no user manual to tell you and your child how to do it! In this section parents share their experiences, good and bad.

"It is hard to know when to start toilet training, but probably the best thing to do it to be guided by your child. He/she will let you know when he/she's ready to get going. The process can be a long drawn out affair so patience is essential! The thing to remember is that most kids are dry by three so don't panic if your child doesn't show any interest in using a potty on his 2nd birthday." "Just before two, my little girl saw her older friend using a potty at the child minders and so decided she wanted one. She didn't really have a clue what it was for, but I bought it anyway. She now asks to go on the potty from time to time and I respond to this. Also, I try to keep a routine of asking her if she wants the potty first thing in the morning and at bath time in the evening. This is the easiest routine for me as she is undressed anyway, and it just keeps the whole thing in her mind." "I remember that there was a lot of peer pressure to start toilet training, almost as though you were a better parent if your child can use the potty before they were two! I tried a few times and then stopped as my son just didn't seem ready and I got tired of all the washing! In the end he asked not to wear nappies and that time the process was so much easier. OK we had a few accidents but looking back that was just normal!" "I'll never forget the embarrassment of dealing with poo in the under pants. Not only was the task itself disgusting but my son only chose to do it when we were in public or staying with friends!" "Before we bought the mattress protector, we had one night when Charlie wet both his bed and then ours. As both the mattresses were damp we all decamped to the spare bed. Not a night either my washing machine or I wanted to repeat. The protector was brilliant!" "You need all the help you can get to take the plunge into no nappies at night. I found that having the mattress protector give me that bit more confidence. If Emma did wet the bed at least it wouldn't mean drying out a mattress and tons of washing!!"

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Whilst I have had no joy yet with my own two year old we are trying to use the information from the book to get him interested but he himself displays no interest yet in the process - a point that is made frequently in the book as needing to happen.

The book also covers modern issues that can impact on the process such as single parents living apart and other similar situations and a complete index provides easy access to any specific point of reference you may require at any given time.

All in all I would recommend the book to anyone unsure of or requiring assistance with the whole process. At the price the book is exceptional value for money & would make an easy mobile guide to take with you wherever you go. I thoroughly enjoyed the read & also the opportunity to write this - my first ever book review.

Am now off to look through the book with my boy as another attempt to get him interested.

Gary - Buy from www.amazon.co.uk

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