I have just read the Gina Ford potty training in a week book and was very impressed. That was until I put it in practice with my 21 month old. I think it's very ambitious to nail it in a week and is a huge milestone for a little one. I've decided to take the approach very slowly and within a couple of day my little man has become aware of when he needs to go. At the moment he freaks out just before he does no. 2 and think it's that he has become aware of the sensation of needing to go and the feeling just isn't natural to him.It's almost like he's trying to stop it coming out. I just reassure him and cuddle him and hopefully the feeling will be second nature to him soon. For this reason I think a week is very ambitious. I know he's still only very young so I'll just take things very slowly and let him dictate the pace.

I recently read Gina Ford's book (big gasp!) for toilet training as just want to be prepared when my son shows the signs. I have never liked any of her routines and ways of raising babies but I was really impressed with the book. As with many baby books - just take what you think will work with your child and then ignore the rest. Although it does say 'In one week' it isn't really as you need to do some introductory tasks with them first and then it's just one week for the full on potty training.

Good luck!!

Sometimes we want to do something so badly we forget that children are all different - they grow at different speeds, they walk at different times and they talk when they are ready. The same is true of toilet training. If you relax, take the pressure off yourself and change the atmosphere into “Oh she’s not quite ready yet” and go with the flow you will feel a lot better and will just naturally notice when she seems to be ready herself to crack this skill. Bringing up kids is not a competition so don’t take any notice of what Johnny’s doing at the playgroup and let your mother-in-laws comments float over your head - relax for a bit, and start again when you’ve both had a break!

I missed it!!! Typical to miss it when there's something I could actually use on it!! (Loved Matilda's intro about being 13 months going on 13 - I TOTALLY know what that's all about, ha ha. ) I'm just not a big fan of Gina Ford tho, neither of my kids were even slightly interested in fitting into her routines.
Altho at this stage I confess I'll try just about anything. We had another mishap 2nite - Holly was watching her pre-bath Simpsons when I realised she was just peeing freely on my sofa!!!! I am of the camp tho, where if she has a mishap I prefer her to stand still instead of trying to rush her to the toilet mid flow so I'm not mopping from here to next weekend!! Lemme know if U get any words of advice from anyone else, cheers!! K x

Did you watch Dragons Den last night? you need Max!!!! I think Gina Ford's potty training in 5 days book is supposed to be good. I am not at that stage yet thankfully!

Help!!! I'm trying to toilet train my 3 year old. Nothing is working. I've tried letting her run free in the house so she knows she's wet, bribery and reward, special seats and equipment, regimented toiletting, mild reduction in the amount she drinks, character "big girl" pants, but she's just not getting it! Does anyone out there know any tricks that I'm missing out on? I'm trying SO hard not to let it stress me out but it's getting beyond a joke!