Staying Dry: 99 Tips to Bring You Back from the End of Your Rope

by Michelle Kennedy

Here is a healthy perspective on that most challenging child-raising problem: toilet training. Author Michelle Kennedy advises parents to ask themselves: What's the big hurry? But when that time finally does arrive, she suggests a commonsense training procedure that will work when it's combined with patience and good humor. The book also deals with questions such as to bribe or not to bribe, getting Dad to help boys achieve good aim, coping with occasional accidents, and bed-wetting. Underlying all questions, the author advises: Don't push, and toilet training will come naturally.

Genres: Parenting

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2003

About the author

Michelle Kennedy is the author of numerous books on parenting, the memoir "Without a Net: Middle Class and Homeless (With Kids) in America" published by Viking, the memoir "A Fine Mess: Living Simply With Children," and the novel, "Gandhi was a Libra."

Her articles and essays have been published in Salon.com, The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Redbook, Family Circle, FamilyFun Magazine and many other publications. She has also read her work on National Public Radio.

Michelle is the mother of eight, grandmother of one, and in addition to being a writer of words, is also a lover of dogs, a gardener of weeds (and weed!), and a knitter of tangled things.

Please find her on Facebook or write to her at mushergrrl@gmail.com

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contained the most practical advice I've seen.

*Don't be afraid to take a break.
*Take a month to devote to potty-training (limiting trips from home, taking potty with you (ICK), and enlisting help from grandparents, neighbors, etc.)
*Throw a party for a month of dry pants or similar milestone (who doesn't love a party and presents?)

All of the tips are non-condescending and concise.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has some great tips on how to deal with the potty training and all the horrors that accompany it.