The Real Parenting Show

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Welcome to The Real Parenting Show with Dr. Pete & Sara… this week we offer advice on a subject near and dear to our hearts – potty training!

In addition to hosting this podcast on a wide variety of parenting issues, Dr. Pete and Sara are also the co-authors of Stress-Free Potty Training, A Commonsense Guide To Finding The Right Approach For Your Child, which just came out over the summer. It’s a different kind of potty training book because we don’t subscribe to any one-size-fits-all method. We understand that every child learns these important skills in very different ways.

We believe successful potty-training starts with understanding a child’s individual personality. And so, our book offers thoughtful planning and effective communication techniques to help you tailor your training techniques and avoid stress during this major milestone of your child’s life.

The first thing any parent needs to consider is whether their child is ready to start potty training – in both physical and cognitive ways, but also emotionally. There is a wide range of ages when children are ready, just as there is a wide range of ages of when children become potty trained.

The book opens with a quiz to help you determine your child’s personality, and from there we give you suggestions as to the approach that might resonate best. Here are the five generalized personality categories we created:

* Goal-Directed Child
* Sensory-Oriented Child
* Internalizing Child
* Impulsive Child
* Strong-Willed Child

Which one is yours? You’ll have to take the quiz to find out for sure, but listen to our descriptions in this podcast episode and see if you can spot yours. Each has their own unique challenges and motivators, and Dr. Pete’s insight into a child’s thought processes give parents a host of tools to use as they begin the potty training process.

Please note, nothing on The Real Parenting Show should be construed as professional psychological advice specific to you or your child. If you have concerns for anyone in your family, it’s important to make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional in your local area. Thanks for listening to The Real Parenting Show with Dr. Pete & Sara… and remember, even though you may not always feel like it, you are the most influential person in your child’s life! If you have any questions or topics you’d like to suggest for future shows, please comment on this blog or call 877.980.2828. Click below to listen to all of Dr. Pete’s straightforward advice and practical tips for real parents raising real kids in the real world, and we hope you’ll subscribe to get our podcast each week.

Stress-Free Potty Training, A Commonsense Guide To Finding The Right Approach For Your Child is published by AMACOM Books, 2008, and is available at all fine bookstores. Check out our website, www.StressFreePottyTraining.com, for more information.

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