Almost everyone in my family is a lawyer, and they've all been trial lawyers at one time or another. My mother once told me that whenever she would get really nervous to stand in front of a judge, or, on occasion, the whole supreme court, she would imagine that the judges were all sitting on their toilets, taking a poo. She said it reminded her that whatever our jobs and responsibilities, we're all human. Her internal giggle made it possible to start her case.

My daughter is currently potty training. She's out of diapers all day, and I find that there's nothing that builds character like poop, particularly when it's discussed over dinner. You must have patience, humility and a strong sense of humor to make the most of the potty training experience. Some things I've find myself saying lately include “don't be afraid of your poop, just let it come out,” “wave bye bye to your poop and flush it down” “you have poop on your socks,” and “yes daddy, mommy, miss Lisa, the dog (etc etc) all go poop too.”

Before motherhood, I took for granted things like sleeping in on the weekends and private bathroom time. I thought I would always be alone in the bathroom to go about my business. No more! When they say it's important to “teach by example” they mean in almost everything. It's been over 30 years since anyone's cheered me for using the toilet, but lately I get a loud “hooray mommy!” (plus clapping) every time. At least now that I'm exhausted and still sleep deprived, the bar for success has been lowered.

Here are a few of the books we've found useful for this oh-so-exciting adventure in bodily functions:

Everyone Poops By Taro Gomi Animals, kids, parents, teachers – they all poop.

Once Upon a Potty, girl's version. By Alona Frankel Straight.

Uh Oh! Gotta Go! By Bob McGrath Potty tales & tribulations from different toddlers – there's even an accident in this one!

When You've Got to Go By Janelle Kriegman and Mitchell Kriegman Favorite characters from Bear in the Big Blue House offer kids reassurance about this (sometimes scary) transition.