Just a couple of weeks ago, my 1 1/2 year old daughter figured out how to remove all of her clothing, including her diaper.  It’s been a struggle to keep those velcro side tabs in place now that she’s figured out how to remove them.  As she nears 2, she’s showing a few signs of potty training readiness and while we’re definitely not ready to begin the process, it’s time to switch to pull-ups.

For the past couple of weeks, we’ve been testing out Huggies’ new Slip-On Diapers.  Designed for squirmy babies, the diapers allow parents to quickly slip the diaper on whether they’re lying down or standing up.  My daughter has been ready for pull-ups and testing them out just confirmed this.

My daughter has always been on the smaller side so we opted for the smallest size, which is a 3.  Designed for babies between 16-28 pounds, the diapers were roomy and stretchy but have never leaked (which has been a concern of mine). Huggies Slip-Ons feature absorb-away layers and long-lasting core to lock in wetness and keep babies dry.  Both of my children tend to have sensitive skin but so far, my daughter hasn’t experienced any diaper rashes with the switch.

Can she still pull them off? Yes…but she’s definitely not doing it as often because it’s not as easy as the tabs on her previous diapers.

Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers are available in 3 sizes and a pack retails for around $10 (but prices vary depending on the store).

Win It!  One of you will win two packs of Huggies Little Movers Slip-On Diapers in the size of your choice. Simply leave a comment with one feature you’re looking forward to testing out with your little mover!  Comments will close on September 21st at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest

Like me on Facebook

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Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments

This post is sponsored by BabyCenter in conjunction with the BabyCenter Blog Network. All prizes and compensation are provided by BabyCenter and Huggies.

Have you ever purchased a product, particularly if it’s something you’re using with your children, and shaken your head in wonder at the creator? When I was pregnant with my son, I did a ton of research on everything from childbirth and infancy to safety and best baby gear. The most valuable advice was that which I received from young mothers who were in similar life situations.

If you can believe it, over the last month my son has been waking up DRY!  I can’t say that I’ve had much to do with his nighttime training, but I will say that I can see the light at the end of the diaper tunnel.  For the past few weeks, we’ve been trialing Safeway’s new mom to mom line of diapers/training pants which were designed with the help of real moms.  The diapers are now solely available in the Supreme variety for improved leakage control and feature a perfect fit waistband, an ultra absorbent core, and a soft, hypollergenic liner.  Something that’s unique about the training pants is the fact that they feature easy open, velcro-ish sides (like you would find on diapers).

In the time we’ve been trialing these training pants (Safeway calls them Kiddie-Ups), my son completed his nighttime potty training.  He was on his way to success when we started so we’ve only had a handful of accidents, all of which were contained without leakage. One of the most surprising things about the training pants is how thin they are. I actually expected them to leak!  I do like the re-fastenable sides, however, you really need to make sure to purchase the correct size or they will not stay closed.

I tried researching price information, but this was unavailable.  However, as a store brand, Mom to Mom is expected to offer competitive pricing and I’ll update this post when that information becomes available.

Photo Credit: monigirl

Win It! One of you will win a $25 gift card to Safeway (which can be used at all of their umbrella stores) to try out Mom to Mom’s new diapers/training pants. Simply leave me a comment with the name of another Mom to Mom product you’d like to try. Comments will close on August 5th at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post. Samples and gift cards provided by Safeway.

In just a few short weeks, my son will be going back to preschool.  Why he we took him out in the fall is an entirely separate discussion.  But I digressed.  He wasn’t potty trained when we started last year (at the age of two) and that was perfectly acceptable with the preschool.  They were willing to work with him and with us to complete the process.  He was excited about his Potty Bench and enjoyed reading about the Potty Tots.  We put the stickers in the bathroom.  He even tinkled in the potty on several occasions.  And then she was born.

I was warned that he might regress.  I wasn’t prepared for his complete and utter refusal to complete the potty training process.  So here we are, a little over a month away from that magical age of three and still in Pull-Ups.  No child who tinkles in my car, the moment I’ve removed his diaper should still be in diapers.  Yet, his answer to me when I ask if he wants to use the potty is a no….loud and clear.

I was told I shouldn’t force him…or coerce him…that I should let him dictate when he’s ready.  But he’s almost THREE!  And he won’t be able to move up to the “big kid” classroom until he’s mastered this feat.  I don’t understand why something so natural is so daunting to a toddler.  So…where does one turn when they’ve got a toddler who’s outgrown his diapers? Why Ralph Covert of Ralph’s World, of course! (hehe!)

I had an opportunity to participate in a conference call with Ralph and Jen Singer Pull-Ups Potty Training Expert, Jen Singer (who also blogs at MommaSaid.net).  Each of us had an opportunity to ask questions, specific to our potty training challenges.

The first question I asked was whether or not I should be using a separate potty chair or a potty seat.  Here is what they had to say:

Jen Singer:  The answer is, I don’t know.  And the reason why I don’t know is it depends on your child.  I can tell you that I had two sons 19 months apart, and the first one went with the potty chair.  I put him on – you know, on the little potty in the middle of the kitchen, and he’d watch “It’s Potty Time.”  And then my younger one, because he would mimic his older brother, went straight to the toilet.  So it’s a matter of what’s exciting for them, what works for them.  You know, some parents would prefer to go right to the toilet, because then you don’t have to bring a potty with you everywhere you go, but I would say, use whatever excites them.  If they covet the potty and they think that’s the coolest thing, get one.  If not, then get a ring and put it on the toilet.

My next question addressed his regression when my daughter was born.  Here is what they had to say:

Jen Singer: Well it’s a very common thing.  And because what happens is, if there’s a big life change – for example, if you move or there’s a divorce or if there’s a new baby – there’s often regression.  And in terms of having a little, what he’s seeing is, well, the baby gets all this attention and the baby poops in her diaper and the baby sucks her thumb, or whatever, so he starts to mimic her, thinking that that’s going to get him attention.  So what you need to do is really play up the fact that he’s a big kid.  And you can do that by pointing out the things that only he gets to do because he’s a big kid now.  If grandparents come to visit, make sure they don’t go to the baby first.  The baby’s not going to remember but he is.  And he’s probably keeping score, so everyone makes a big deal about seeing him first.  Have rewards for potty training that only big kids get.  The baby doesn’t get this sort of thing.  In fact, you might want to let him pick it out.  For my boys it was stickers, and I would put the stickers all over their shirt so that when daddy came home he would see they were decorated and how great potty training had been going for them.  So they get a double high-five.  These are all things that I would do.  Or, call up grandma when he goes on the potty and have a long-distance potty dance party.  These are all things that I would do – just make sure you point out he’s a big kid, and see if you can go that route.

Ralph Covert:  My sense would be kind of a two-fold with it.  On one sense, I think Jen’s absolutely right; I think at all ages of a kid’s development there come these phases where the child kind of looks backwards and looks forward, you know, and so there’s certain things that they kind of regress to do – not in a bad way, but because they’re kind of nostalgic for that earlier phase.  So I would just kind of remind you that it’s actually OK and it’s a part of moving forward, which is always letting go.  So I’d kind of allow them that to a certain degree, and just understand that it’s actually a good thing, it’s part of his process that means that he actually is processing and differentiating himself from that.  But – as with any other letting go, you have to let go.  So, know that by the fact that he’s doing it, he’s not moving backwards, it’s part of his moving forwards progress.

And the second thing, to then encourage him to move forward is I think kind of playing off what Jen was saying.  Let him make the choice…if he’s going to be a baby, then these are the baby things.  But if he’s going to be a big kid, then this whole parcel of other things comes along with it.  If you want to be a big kid, then these are the big kid things, but you need to be a big kid for those.  So if you’re not ready to be a big kid, then you don’t have to have the stickers – but if you would like to do the big kid stuff, then that’s OK too.  You can choose to do the big kid stuff.  So empowering him to kind of choose the whole direction of do I want the big kid stuff, or do I want to forego that and have the baby stuff.  Because when he’s empowered, then he can finish the process and own it with pride.

My next question was about the importance of rewards. Here is what they had to say:

Jen Singer:  Well, it depends on the child.  For some kids rewards work great – and I’m not talking about offering a trip to Disney here.  I’m saying something small that works for them.  And sometimes you can even let them pick it out.  Or a chart sometimes works for some kids.  If you mark their success over a period of time, some kids like that.  It’s all part of making it fun.

Ralph Covert:  Yeah, our now 10-year-old is one of the kids who just loves candy.  But we didn’t use it as a reward as much as we just said, well, big kids get candy but babies don’t.  We just let her choose which camp she was a part of.  As soon as she realized that big kids got candy but babies didn’t, she wanted no part of the baby.  For her it was very much keyed into her identity of understanding oh, if I’m a big kid I get this?  Dude, that’s not even a discussion.  So it wasn’t like, if you do this you get a treat kind of thing.  It was like more the identity of being a big kid.  But it all comes down to the kid, you know.

Jen Singer: Positive peer pressure does go a long way.  So, (Caryn), if you know a nephew or somebody who’s a little bit older who can show him how to do it on the potty, than it makes it exciting for them.

Ralph Covert: And you could probably use “The Potty Dance” as a kind of a positive thing.  The baby doesn’t get to do “The Potty Dance,” but you can because you’re a big kid.

Jen Singer:  For those of you who have boys, it often takes boys longer to potty train, and some people think that that’s because it’s a developmental thing, and it’s not really.  It’s because usually Mom does the potty training.  So try as we might, we can’t pee standing up.  We can, but it’s messy.  It’s good to get Dad involved.

My last question had to do with when we should move from Pull-Ups to underwear.  Here is what they had to say:

Jen Singer: Pull-Ups is a product that eventually wants you to stop using it.  That’s the point.  I found that for me, Pull-Ups made it easier for me to take my kids and go somewhere.  We could go somewhere, and I knew that they weren’t going to pee on my mother-in-law’s couch.  But yes, the goal is to get them in underpants.  When do you introduce underpants?  It depends.  If they’ve been dry for a whole morning, and they do that frequently, you might want to introduce underwear.  You can say, you’re being such a big boy, a big girl, now.  Llet’s get these really cool Spiderman underpants, or whatever it is.  Let them pick it out, and say, you know, for the next hour you get to wear the big boy underpants.  And then just remind him that he’s got to put his pee and poop in the potty.  And remember,  you might have some poopy underpants at one point or another, and that’s OK, you just clean it up and remind them to put in the potty.

I really tried to shorten the conversation but there was a ton of valuable information for those of us in the trenches of potty training.  For more tips on enduring the process, just visit their website or Facebook page.

Win It! I have a pack of Pull-Ups to give to one reader!  Simply leave me a comment with a valuable piece of potty training advice you found on their website or Facebook page.  Comments will close on May 27, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn. Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I received a gift card for participating in this conference call. The giveaway was sponsored by the company.

Not too long ago, I did a potty training series, filled with tips, interviews, and reviews to help you through the transition out of diapers.  We are still in the process of potty training our son who is about to turn 2.  He definitely knows when he needs a diaper change (he tells us) and doesn’t mind sitting on the potty.  The only problem is that we have yet to successfully go diaper free.  We’re in pull-ups but he still needs some help getting them up and down (and I have to give him some grace since he’s 2!).

Huggies, the makers of Pull-Ups, launched The Potty Project to provide a resource for potty training. Here is a little more information about the site:

The site features a series of reality-style webisodes following six families with one common goal: saying goodbye to diapers.  The site offers parents interactive communities to share and learn and helpful information to answer all their potty training questions.

Potty training is hard!  It’s right up there with sleep training and breastfeeding.  The Potty Project features real-life potty-training experiences shared through videos and blogs.  It’s funny and insightful and very well put together.  I appreciate the range of topics covered.  They even have sections for working parents and grandparents.  I’ll be receiving a Potty Training Starter Kit, courtesy of Huggies and Pull-Ups so I’ll be sure to update you with our success progress!

Win It! One of you will win a Potty Training Starter Kit including Pull-Ups products, potty training resources, Stop Second Guessing Yourself:  The Toddler Years by Pull-Ups PTP Panel Member Jen Singer, and a Flip video camera.  Simply head on over to The Potty Project and spend some time browsing around.  Come back and leave me a comment about the site…either a video you enjoyed, a blog post you appreciated, or a tip you learned that you hadn’t known about.  Comments will close on June 23, 2009 at 10 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

I have one more post for you and you’re definitely going to want to come back this weekend for it. Our Potty Party is coming to a close but this is a post you won’t want to miss. I know you don’t read blogs on the weekend…but…you may change your mind! Stay tuned!

We’re back again with our final week of potty training advice! I hope you’ve found the information useful! I was talking to my friend Kristin awhile back about her experience with potty training. She has three girls under the age of four so I figure if anyone knows anything about potty training, it’s her. We were discussing night-time potty training and I was surprised to find out that her girls were potty trained during the day for many months before they had a dry night. According to the Sears’ docs, it may take weeks, months, or even years for a child to achieve success with nighttime potty training. The typical progression includes nighttime bowel control, daytime bowel control, daytime bladder control, and lastly nighttime bladder control. While this is a subject that I’ll leave to be discussed at a later time, I will tell you that there is a product you may just want to consider checking out if you’re struggling with nighttime accidents.

Many of you have no doubt heard about Protect-A-Bed’s line of mattress protectors, encasements, and pads. They provide a very thin, impermeable layer of protection between you and your mattress. You’re probably wondering why you need protection from your mattress…or maybe you’re wondering why your mattress needs protection from you. And maybe you’re wondering what all of this has to do with potty training…

Nighttime accidents are inevitable, unless you’ve decided that your child will wear diapers until he goes to kindergarten. In order to save yourself some time changing your child’s sheets in the middle of the night, and getting your child’s crib or toddler bed mattress cleaned (again and again), you might want to invest in a mattress protector from Protect-A-Bed. The company’s mattress protectors go beyond your typical mattress pad. They’re made of a very soft, terry cloth toweling which provides a state-of-the-art layer of protection from allergens, dust mites and bed bugs within your mattress. The mattress protectors waterproof and stainproof your mattress (something I wish I had done long before my son was born) and they’re highly absorbent. I love the company’s suggestion to put two on your child’s mattress so that if one becomes soiled, you don’t have to disrupt him/her too much changing the entire bed.

We received a crib mattress protector to try out and one of the things that stood out was how much thinner it is than I had originally expected. With the type of protection offered, I assumed it would be very thick. The crib mattress protector was designed using the latest technology to assure that the fabric is breathable. It will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter (now that’s innovation!). The mattress protectors are super easy to clean…just throw them in the wash and tumble dry! I want my son to sleep in the most optimal environment, dry and free from allergens. I like how Protect-A-Bed offers both in one product.

Protect-A-Bed mattress protectors come in a variety of sizes to fit any bed – from cribs to California King mattresses. The company sells two variations of the crib mattress protector (which will likely fit a toddler bed mattress): the AllerZip Crib Protector and the Healthsheet Crib Protector and both are available for purchase on the site. For healthy, hygenic sleep, visit Protect-A-Bed.

Win It! One of you will win a Crib Mattress Protector, courtesy of Protect-A-Bed. Simply head on over to the site, then come back and leave me a comment with something you learned. Comments will close on March 2, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

*Update* Comment on any of my other potty training posts and receive another entry!

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Spread the word and gain up to 2 extra entries for each giveaway (see this post for more details)

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

Looking for more giveaways?

Potty Training Series and Giveaways

Let’s Get This Potty Party Started

Potty Trained Before 2

Positive Reinforcement and Potty Training

Potty Training Accidents? We’ve Got Ya Covered!

Potty Train the Fun Way With the Potty Tots!

A Neat Solution for Potty Training on The Go

Sustainable (Potty) Training Pants by Seventh Generation

Protect-A-Bed Against Nighttime Accidents

<a href=”http://rockinmama.net/2009/01/12/pottyparty/”><img style=”border:none;” src=”http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/pottybutton11.jpg” alt=”Rockin Mama Potty Party” /></a>

Potty Training Series and Giveaways:

Let’s Get This Potty Party Started

Potty Trained Before 2

Positive Reinforcement and Potty Training

Potty Training Accidents?  We’ve Got Ya Covered!

Potty Train the Fun Way With the Potty Tots!

A Neat Solution for Potty Training on The Go

Sustainable (Potty) Training Pants by Seventh Generation

<a href=”http://rockinmama.net/2009/01/12/pottyparty/”><img style=”border:none;” src=”http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/pottybutton11.jpg” alt=”Rockin Mama Potty Party” /></a>

When my son was a baby, he had chronic diaper rashes. We have been through every diaper company…even some lesser known eco-friendly diaper companies. We happened upon Seventh Generation and decided to try their Chlorine-Free Diapers as a last resort before moving to cloth diapers (which my husband and I did not want to do because of our schedules). I had tried eco-friendly diapers so I wasn’t really sure if that would help my son’s diaper rashes. To this day, unless he eats something he isn’t supposed to (like tomatoes!), he doesn’t get a diaper rash. It also helps that we switched to the Chlorine-Free Wipes during the process of trying to identify the cause of the rashes.

Now that we’re in the midst of potty-training, we’ve naturally started to incorporate Seventh Generation’s Chlorine-Free Training Pants. Both the diapers and the training pants have worked really well for us. They’re super soft (designed to offer cloth-like comfort), hypo-allergenic, fragrance and latex-free. I’ve never once had a diaper failure. Seventh Generation designed the training pants with inner leak barriers and stretchy, tear-away side panels to keep your child dry and comfortable. Can I just say how much I love training pants? When my son figured out how to take his diaper off, I realized that it was time to find another solution! The training pants are easy enough for a tot to get on and off when it’s time to use the potty, but they stay put when my son is playing!

Seventh Generation’s Chlorine Free Training Pants come in 3 sizes and they retail for about $15-20. However, I always purchase my son’s diapers on Amazon.com using the Subscribe and Save function and which means each pack is $9.35 plus free shipping! This is the cheapest I’ve found anywhere! You can also download a coupon for $2.00 off any Baby product directly from the site.

By the way, if you’re looking for an excellent wipe, try the Chlorine-Free Baby Wipes. They’re unscented, hypo-allergenic, alcohol-free, and contain Aloe Vera and Vitamin E lotion. They actually feel like a moist, soft cloth and they’re very gentle. When you choose the Subscribe and Save option on Amazon.com, each pack of 80 costs only $2.98. And the best part is that they’re shipped to your door for free when you want them.

I am an avid fan of Seventh Generation’s entire product line. The company is “committed to becoming the world’s most trusted brand of authentic, safe, and environmentally-responsible products for a healthy home.” They disclose all of their product’s ingredients which make them a brand I can trust and feel comfortable using. Using their products ensures that you are “saving natural resources, reducing pollution, keeping toxic chemicals out of the environment and making the world a safer place for this and the next seven generations.”

Win It! Seventh Generation has generously donated a baby starter kit which includes 2 packs of diapers in the size of your choice, a tub and travel pack of baby wipes, and baby laundry detergent in a reusable bag. Simply head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment stating something you like or learned over at Seventh Generation. Comments will close on February 26, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

*Update* Comment on any of my other potty training posts and receive another entry!

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Spread the word and gain up to 2 extra entries for each giveaway (see this post for more details)

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

Looking for more giveaways?

Potty Training Series and Giveaways

Let’s Get This Potty Party Started

Potty Trained Before 2

Positive Reinforcement and Potty Training

Potty Training Accidents? We’ve Got Ya Covered!

Potty Train the Fun Way With the Potty Tots!

A Neat Solution for Potty Training on The Go

Sustainable (Potty) Training Pants by Seventh Generation

<a href=”http://rockinmama.net/2009/01/12/pottyparty/”><img style=”border:none;” src=”http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/pottybutton11.jpg” alt=”Rockin Mama Potty Party” /></a>

Potty training at home is one thing….but what happens when your tot needs to tinkle while you’re, say, at the mall?  At some point your toddler is going to need to use the “big potty” and you need to be prepared.  Just the thought of putting my son on a public potty makes me cringe.

My very good friend Kristin introduced me to Neat Solutions’ Table Toppers when my son was first starting to eat solid foods and they’ve helped make this mommy a little less neurotic.  The same company has ingeniously created an entire line of products to keep your child germ-free including Floor Toppers, Changing Pads, and Disposable Bibs.

Potty Toppers offer disposable protection from icky toilet germs.  So you’re probably wondering how they differ from conventional toilet seat covers. These disposable toilet seat covers feature adhesive strips to keep them on the seat and a plastic liner to protect your tot from wet seats and other germs.  They’re also BPA-Free, PVC-Free, and phthalate-Free.  Beth Besner, who founded Neat Solutions, designed Potty Toppers with oversized dimensions to keep your toddler’s bum clean and away from germ-laden surfaces.  And it helps keep little fingers from exploring places you’d rather them not explore. Potty Toppers are available in four fun character designs and can be purchased at Target, Walmart, Toys R Us, and online at Amazon.com.

If you sign up for their newsletter, you’ll be eligible to win free products from the company!

Win It!  I’ve got a 10 pack of Potty Toppers to giveaway to one reader.  Head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back here and leave me a comment with the name of another product (besides the Potty Toppers) that you think would be helpful to you.  Comments will close on February 25, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

*Update* Comment on any of my other potty training posts and receive another entry!

Spread the word and gain up to 2 extra entries for each giveaway (see this post for more details)

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

Looking for more giveaways?

Potty Training Series and Giveaways:

Let’s Get This Potty Party Started

Potty Trained Before 2

Positive Reinforcement and Potty Training

Potty Training Accidents?  We’ve Got Ya Covered!

Potty Train the Fun Way With the Potty Tots!

A Neat Solution for Potty Training on The Go

Sustainable (Potty) Training Pants by Seventh Generation

<a href=”http://rockinmama.net/2009/01/12/pottyparty/”><img style=”border:none;” src=”http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/pottybutton11.jpg” alt=”Rockin Mama Potty Party” /></a>

When I decided to start potty training my son, I knew that it was going to be difficult. I knew it was going to take time and patience and consistency. What I didn’t know is that it could be fun! Any “potty talk” I engaged in with other parents actually scared me. I thought…how am I going to do this? How are WE going to do this? While I was doing some research on potty training, I came across a relatively new potty training program called Potty Tots. Do you know what caught my attention…her tagline which is “We’ll show you how to go potty now!”

Potty Tots, which launched in August of 2008, was founded by Jill Leech out of necessity. In the midst of experiencing tremendous difficulty potty training her youngest daughter, she sought out a program that would show her daughter how to go potty, engage her in the process, and encourage her to be independent. At the time, a structured program built on the principles of positive reinforcement and independence did not exist. So she created an illustrated potty chart which included the steps of potty training and a picture of a little girl that looked like her daughter. I had the tremendous privilege of interviewing Jill and I’d like to thank her for the time she spent with me.

Interview:

1. There is a lot of discussion about time frame and readiness. Can you share a little bit about when a child is ready to start the process of potty training?

According to the AAP, it takes about six weeks, on average to potty train a child. It is not uncommon for the process to take as long as three months of daily encouragement from parents.

A child has to be ready physically (capable of holding and controlling urine and stool), cognitively, and emotionally. A child also has to be motivated to begin the process. While a child may show signs of readiness as early as 18 months of age, they may not be truly ready until 2 or even 3. Parents too, must be ready and realize that it will take some time. Parents should consider their schedules and think about what other things are going that may make it difficult to commit to the process.

From the site:

Signs that your child may be ready for potty training include the following:
- Staying dry at least two hours at a time during the day or after naps.
- Bowel movements become regular and predictable.
- Child seems uncomfortable with soiled diapers and wants to be changed.
- Child asks to wear regular underwear.
- Child asks to use the toilet or potty-chair.

2. What would you advise a parent to do if they’ve already started the potty training process, but their child starts to resist?

I would suggest that the process be postponed. Parents can always start at a later time. The more a child resists, the harder it will be. It’s important to pay attention to all of the signs of readiness because a child may be ready physically but not developmentally. One of the highlights of the Potty Tots program is that it encourages autonomy. Using the potty is the child’s idea and something he/she can do on his/her own. Children really benefit from the program because it emphasizes consistency and they are able to identify with the characters. Whether your child is afraid or embarrassed, he/she will be able to identify with one of the Potty Tots because they are also scared and/or embarrassed.

3. How should parents approach accidents?

Potty training is a learning process, just like any training that one endeavors. You, as the parent, are the coach. Rather than dwell on the “accident,” view it as a natural part of the process. Continue to provide encouragement.

4. Can you talk a little bit about why the Potty Tots Training Program is successful?

Children enjoy the program because it is fun and motivational. It also engages the senses through the visual and musical components. The program is successful because it’s based on a child’s need for independence. Our motto is “I can do it.” The program builds self-esteem and creates a sense of belonging. Children feel good about themselves because it’s fun and they’re engaging in something that they can do all by themselves. Learning how to use the potty is one of the first steps a child takes towards taking care of him/herself and success results in enhancing self-esteem.

5. The Potty Tots Training Program utilizes rewards. Can you talk a little bit about why rewards are important when potty training a child?

We all like to be rewarded for things that we do. When a child has a visual, tangible way to measure progress, it encourages independence and autonomy. Seeing their progress on a chart is a reward in and of itself. When you are potty training a child, particularly a younger child, rewards need to be frequent and consistent to support the learning process and enhance a child’s self-esteem. Rewards don’t have to be tangible. Praise is the number one reward that children crave. Hugs and kisses are other rewards that motivate and encourage children throughout the process. Eventually, using the potty will become a habit and rewards won’t be as important or even necessary.

A huge thank you to Jill for the time she spent speaking with me and sharing her incredible knowledge on the subject of potty training with all of us!

Here is a little more information about the Potty Tots Potty Training Program:

The Potty Tots Potty Training Program is a child-centered program that provides all of the resources necessary for successful potty training. It features an adorable group of ethnically diverse preschoolers who engage children by singing and dancing their way through the six steps of Potty Training. This highly interactive program addresses multiple learning styles, encouraging kids to participate and ultimately fostering confidence, self-esteem and independence. It provides everything you’ll need for a fun, stress-free potty training experience.

The potty training kit (which is available in both a boy and girl version) includes a storybook, an animated DVD, a step-by-step illustrated potty chart and a game. It retails for $19.95 and can be purchased directly from the site. When you purchase the kit, your child will receive a personalized letter addressed to them from the Potty Tots (how cool is that?). The program is fun and will engage and entertain your child. Your child will WANT to use the potty! Can I just tell you that after my son watched the DVD, he sat on the potty and said, “I did that.” (he had NEVER said that phrase before watching the DVD). Now…he didn’t use the potty that very first time but it showed me that he understood the basic concepts. I love how Jill breaks the process up into six sequential, manageable steps.

If you are in the process of potty training, I highly recommend you try this program. The site alone is a wealth of information including potty training tips and advice for parents, and coloring pages and interactive games for children. Don’t forget to print out a diploma for your child when they’ve completed the program.

Potty Tots recently engaged in the Babes in Toyland celebrity giveaway where they created a custom potty chart for celebrity tots like Suri Cruise and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. They created a likeness of each child in the “Potty Tots” style. How cute is that?

Jill has some amazing ventures she is about to embark on! In the spring, she will launch a potty training kit for preschools in her area. The kits will be geared towards teachers and will encourage consistency while parents work with their children at home. If you are fortunate enough to live in or near Temecula, check out her potty training classes!

Win It! Jill has graciously offered to give away a boy and a girl training kit! So that means 2 of you will get a chance to try out this amazing program. Head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment with how you think this program will benefit you and your child. Comments will close on February 23, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

*Update* Comment on any of my other potty training posts and receive another entry!

Spread the word and gain up to 2 extra entries for each giveaway (see this post for more details)

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

Looking for more giveaways?

Potty Training Series and Giveaways:

Let’s Get This Potty Party Started

Potty Trained Before 2

Positive Reinforcement and Potty Training

Potty Training Accidents?  We’ve Got Ya Covered!

Potty Train the Fun Way With the Potty Tots!

A Neat Solution for Potty Training on The Go

Sustainable (Potty) Training Pants by Seventh Generation

<a href=”http://rockinmama.net/2009/01/12/pottyparty/”><img style=”border:none;” src=”http://rockinmama.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/pottybutton11.jpg” alt=”Rockin Mama Potty Party” /></a>