Pampers Easy Ups Are Helping to Make Potty Training My Girls a Success #DDDivas #PampersEasyUps #sponsored

Disclosure:  This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine

Who knew that potty training girls would be so difficult?  When I used to hear friends will children talking about how they potty trained in a weekend when their kid's showed signs of willingness, I thought that when I had kids and had to potty train, that it would be a peace of cake.  Boy, was I wrong!  

Right before we welcomed Bella back in November 2011, Savannah started showing the signs of wanting to potty train.  She was able to take her diaper on and off, and would tell me when she was going potty.  So, I went to the store and picked up a potty, along with fun rewards, potty training kid's books, pull up diapers, etc.  After a weekend passed and Savannah wasn't potty trained, I was a little discouraged.  Remembering what to everyone else's success stories, I wondered what I was doing wrong.  I continued to work at potty training with Savannah right up until Bella was born.  

When Savannah saw Bella getting extra bonding time come diaper changing time, she reverted back to wanting to wear diapers.  During one of Bella's wellness visits with the pediatrician, I asked her about potty training and shared my struggles with Savannah.  She told me that kids will know when they are ready and not to rush them.  Then, she suggested I wait until the summer of the following year to start potty training again, as summer is usually easier as kids like to be in fewer clothes. :-)  So, this is what I did.  

But, no pribing or rewards in the world could get Savannah to want to stick to potty training.  She was content in diapers, and I was tired trying to raise an active toddler and new baby.  I decided to heed another suggestion of my pediatrician and wait until Bella started to show signs of wanting to potty train and potty train the girls together.  Or, if Savannah showed her willingness on her own, maybe this would trigger Bella's wanting to potty train.  

Leave it to Bella, who is 2 1/2 yrs. old to show the first signs of wanting to potty train. She hates being in a wet diaper, and will take it off and run to the potty most of the time.  Seeing these signs, I am rolling up my sleeves and trying potty training again, this time both girls, and hoping this time will stick.  While the girls are not potty trained in a weekend, they are more consistent when it comes to knowing when to go to the potty and even doing #2 in it...something Savannah never wanted to do.  

One thing that I have found to help during our potty training is using Pampers Easy Ups with the girls. 

Not only are they excited to see Dora the Explorer on the front of these training pants, but these pull ups are easier for the girls to get up and down when the time comes to make a dash for the potty.  And, Easy Ups "have an absorbent core that holds 25% more than the other leading training pant, which means fewer leaks, especially at night time." I also have to say that compared with other training pants, Easy Ups look more like "big girl" panties.  

Another great feature of these potty training pants from Pampers is that they are super stretchy on the sides, making them easier for the girls to pull them up and down when having to go potty. They also love to be able to put their own training pants on, and can do so with ease thanks to this easy give.  While we are not able to say goodbye to diapers just yet, I have to say that I am loving the added freedom that the Pampers Easy Ups offer my two toddler girls.  I also don't have to fuss with them to change diapers.  And, when it comes to changing these training pants in a public bathroom, they are so much easier.  I don't have to find a changing table, as they can stand in a stall with me and lift their legs and pull them up.  Easy as that! 

If you have found yourself stressing out about potty training or struggling like I have, and haven't given Pampers Easy Ups a try, I would suggest that your pick some up the next time you run out of training pants.  Your kids (both boy and girl) will love the fun character designs and how they look like big kid underwear, while offering the best in leak guard protection that I have seen.   I can't wait to hear your child's success stories, as you celebrate saying goodbye to diapers/training pants and hello to a new phase in your growing child's life wearing underwear.  Hang in there...that day will come.  I keep telling myself this, too! :-)

Don't forget to follow Pampers on their social media pages for special offers and savings coupons, new product addition and more...

• Pampers on Twitter:  http://bit.ly/1brDKYn
• Pampers on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1eWzMVD

--Hope to See You At the #PampersEasyUps Twitter Party on June 10th--

After the kids go to bed on June 10th, I hope you will join me and other moms at the #PampersEasyUps Twitter Party as we talk about potty training and more.  You will also have a chance to win some great prizes.

The Twitter Party will take place on Thursday June 10th at 9pm EST. 

You can RSVP for this upcoming #PampersEasyUps Twitter Party by visiting:

http://twtvite.com/PampersEasyUps

To participate, follow your hosts @DoubleDutyDivas, @BridgetteLA, @CeceliaMecca @AngieKcom @WhatMommiesNeed @RamblingChick, and our sponsor @Pampers.

Prizes Include:

• 100 ct Easy Ups,Sesame Street Portable Potty
• 100 ct Easy Ups, Baby BanZ Sun Protective Beach Tent
• 100 ct Easy Ups, Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike
• 100 ct Easy Ups and Splash Zone Spray N Splash Inflatable Water Park
• RSVP: 100 ct Easy Ups

See you then. :-)

--GIVEAWAY--

Thanks to the kind folks at Pampers, one lucky reader will win a fun potty training prize pack to use with their child, valued at around $100.  The prize pack will include:

·         100 ct Pampers Easy Ups

·         Portable Potty

·         Fun items to kick off Summer for your child! 

To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine

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Struggling to Potty Train Your Toddler...or Just Getting Started? Check Out the Fun New App, Me-ify Potty Star! That Makes This Milestone Fun! #Sponsored

Disclosure: I was selected to participate a review of this new app from MomSelect and Me-ify Potty Star.  In addition to being provided a promo code to download the app, I was also compensated for my time in reviewing and writing up my post.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.

I never would have thought that potty training would be so difficult, especially with girls.  Whenever I heard friends talk about their potty training experiences, they oftentimes would say it was done in a day or a weekend.  Well, that has not been the case with my girls.  We were so close at getting Savannah potty trained when she turned two.  She showed all the signs of wanting to potty train and even went a few days sitting on the potty and going, or telling me to bring her to the potty when it was not in sight.  But, then we welcomed her little sister and she saw the extra attention and time with Mommy and Daddy, that Savannah reverted back to diapers.  Now, fast forward a year, and we are still going through a box of diapers every two weeks -- what an expense!  

While Arabella, who turned 2 back in Nov., is advanced in many ways, as she has been talking since 9 months old, can say her ABCs and count to 15, we still have to remind ourselves she is younger and may not be ready to potty train.  I don't want to rush her and get everyone frustrated.  So, as I wait for her to show us signs that she is ready to potty train, I have been working with Savannah to show her the benefits of using the potty and giving up diapers for big girl panties.  But, I think she wants to wait until sister is ready to potty train and do it together.  In the meantime, she is slowly warming up to by listening to potty training books, watching some of her favorite characters on television in potty training episodes, and now playing with a fun new app called Me-ify Potty Star from Out of the Blue Enterprises LLC.  We have been trying out different potty training antics for the past year, but something seems to grab Savannah's attention more than this fun new app does.  

"Me-ify Potty Star is the all-inclusive potty training tool for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch!This comprehensive app features a personalized eBook starring your child, 5 interactive potty games, 5 original potty songs, a reusable star rewards chart and helpful potty training tips. Developed with parenting expert Julie A. Ross and created by the producers of PBS KIDS preschool television hits, Super Why! and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, this app offers a rich and engaging learning experience that is based on developmentally appropriate potty training techniques."

Click here to download this potty training app now from iTunes for only $1.99.

Savannah had a blast helping create her own unique potty Super Star and even said her name for the recording.  

So, now whenever she has the story read to her, she hears her own voice and name, which she thinks is neat.  If the cute interactive story wasn't enough, this fun potty training app comes with 5 interactive potty games and 5 catchy songs centered around potty training.  

And, navigating through each of the features of this app (Available at the iTunes store for only $1.99) is easy.  I am always amazed at how quickly the girls can pick up new technology, or navigate through a new app like they do -- a little scary, too! 

Savannah has been playing with this app daily, and makes a point to show everyone who comes to visit.  Just this past weekend, my dad spent over an hour being schooled on potty training, the parts of the body, which parents can select the words they use when identifying parts so that their children will understand (which I love), and having Savannah sing him her favorite potty songs. :-)

Just look at the cute graphics this app offers.  Kids can choose the toilet seat backing they want from a selection of design options.  This is also the same design you see on the potty star they create. In the above example, the little boy has trucks on his shirt and one on the back of the toilet seat.  Savannah ended up choosing an owl. :-)  

Because I was reviewing this app, I created both a boy and girl potty star to see if there were any differences.  The story stays the same.  But, you find when it comes to using the potty, that the little boy gets to try target practice inside the potty, and reminded not to hit the toilet seat.  Savannah couldn't help but giggle at this.  

Savannah also found the part of the story where they show how cats and dogs go potty, and how they are different from humans.  When she wasn't saying "Ehh" at the doggy going pee pee or the cat going poo poo, she couldn't help but laugh.  This was also one section that she would stay longer on or hit the page back arrow to do again.

Another fun feature of this potty training app is the reusable rewards chart that you can mark and celebrate your child's potty accomplishments with. I don't know about you, but my kids love stickers.  So, whenever I am looking for ways to reward good behavior, we turn to stickers and a rewards chart like this.  

Like I said, while I am still waiting for the green light for the girls to let me know they are ready to start potty training, this is a fun app to keep reminding Savannah about all the fun she can have and what a milestone potty training and saying goodbye to diapers really is.  Maybe she will come to me and want to potty train again, and Bella will want to copy her big sister and follow suite.  :-)  This app is getting Savannah talking about the potty and sharing how to go potty and wash up afterwards with her little sister -- so, you never know.  I know like so many other parents with little ones in diapers that I am ready to say goodbye to diapers and hello to big girl panties. How about you?  Are you struggling to potty train your child, or waiting for signs that they are ready to start?  If so, why not check out the fun new Me-ify Potty Star app with your child?  I know you will find this app as enjoyable as my daughters have, as you embark on potty training and celebrating another milestone with your child as they grow up and become more independent.

Visit the iTunes app store to learn more about the new Me-ify Potty Star app, or to purchase and download for only $1.99 --  https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/me-ify-potty-star!/id732047695?mt=8.

Disclosure: I was selected to participate a review of this new app from MomSelect and Me-ify Potty Star.  In addition to being provided a promo code to download the app, I was also compensated for my time in reviewing and writing up my post.  However, all views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Potty Training in Progress -- Have Any Tips or Tricks?

It's Potty Training Time!!!

 

As many of you know, I have begun potty training with Savannah.  I had hoped after hearing from other moms that it could be done in a weekend, that she would be trained by now.  But, I have found that this is not the case when you have a 3 month old and a 19 month.  I find that when Savannah has to go, that her little sister cries out for attention, wets herself or needs a bottle.  And, when I am ready to give my undivided attention to Savannah, she either doesn't have to go, just went, or is too fussy to try to potty training.  What is a mom to do?  Have you had the same experiences?  If so, I would love to hear how you made potty training time.   My next resort is having my husband tend to Arabella on a weekend, and spend an entire weekend potty training Savannah.  I attempted to let her run free and naked this past week, only to find her squatting like the dogs in a corner.  So, not only was I cleaning up accidents from the dogs, but I was also walking around with an arsenal of cleaning supplies to wipe up the accidents I either walked in or stumbled upon.  But, since I began my journey into potty training, I have read numerous books, tried out various products and talked to other moms who have shared this tips and tricks with me.  I thought I would share some of them with you, in case you are potty training your little ones, too.  Maybe these tips and tricks will help out.  With the craziness that occurs in my house on a daily basis, with both girls, I am up to trying anything right now.  

1) Bribery always works -- I have been using stickers, until Savannah found my stash and stuck them all over the house.  Other moms have told me the bribe with candy, preferably M&M's, or even give money if a child goes pee or poop.  A mom in my playgroup has a piggy bank in the bathroom, and each time her son goes #1, he gets a penny, #2 is rewarded with a nickel and if he does both, wipes himself and washes his hands afterwards, he gets a whopping $1.00.  Have you tried this?  Does it work?  

2)Turn the bathroom into a library -- I have book a basket full of Savannah's favorite books next to the potty.  She flips through them, but nothing happens in the potty.  

3) Turn on the bathtub water or sink to initiate the need to pee -- Didn't work for me.  Savannah kicked and screamed as she wanted to get into the tub and play.  No peeing happening with this one -- just crocodile tears!

4) Let your child watch you pee -- So much for "me time."  Now, Savannah comes in and wants to sit on my lap and play.  Or, she will hand me a book to read.  It is cute, but doesn't make her want to sit next to me and go.

5) Set up potty chairs throughout the house.  We went out and bought Savannah an Elmo potty that makes flushing noises, as well as the toilet seat potty seats for her. When I am busy with Arabella, I put the Elmo floor potty in the kitchen. But, I am finding that Savannah likes to be like Mommy and Daddy and use the real potty, with her seat.  And, when I can't be in the bathroom with her, I have to close the door, as we have found Little People and toys in the toilet.

6) Make a point to put your little one on the potty every 20-30 minutes.  Again, I have been trying this, but I think Savannah and Arabella have been talking to make Mommy go crazy when it comes to tending to one, without the other needing me, too.  Again, this is where a weekend with just Savannah comes into play.  I am thinking if I can follow through with every 20 minutes putting her on the potty, she may finally be potty trained.  I have been setting the kitchen timer for 20 minutes, and when it goes off, we run to the potty. Savannah find it fun, and helps keep us on the 20 minute schedule.

7) Go Naked.  Like I said earlier.  I have tried this, and I am finding that if I can have full attention on Savannah, she has a peeing war with the dogs, to see who can go the most, and it secret places. :-)  But, I plan to use this method when I do a weekend potty training session with her.

Stay tuned to see if we can get Savannah potty trained next weekend.  If not, like many moms have told me, have patience and not push it.  When Savannah is ready, she will go.  And, then from there, no more diapers for her --only big girl panties.  Can't wait for those days!  But, also don't like seeing her grow up too fast! 

If you have tips or tricks for potty training that have worked for you, I would love to hear them.  And, to think that I am finding time to read potty training books when I am on the potty. :-)  Ahh, the life of a mom.  And, with that being said, did you know that the Clorox Family of Toilet Products recently launched a fun new Web site celebrating one of the most-used and underrated rooms in our homes - the bathroom? The Clorox Lounge is turning the bathroom into the laughroom with a community hub designed to be a mom’s go-to place for comedy. Hosted by comedian, actress and mom Sherri Shepherd, the site found at TheCloroxLounge.com features hilarious anecdotes, fun contests, exciting give-a-ways, coupons and just the right amount of comic relief.

The Clorox Lounge activities kick-off with the Last Comic Sitting Competition and Sweepstakes, starting February 27, 2012. During this time, you also have an opportunity to win $10,000 in the Last Comic Sitting Sweepstakes. Simply visit The Clorox Lounge to sign-up and be automatically entered for a chance to win the top prize.

So, when I am not reading potty training books, I have been checking out the Clorox Lounge to read other moms anecdotes on potty training are.  Be warned, some will make you laugh so hard, you may pee your pants!  :-)

Disclosure:  “I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox® blogging program, for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

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