Silly Monkey Stories: Sleepwalker-in-Training

Although it hasn't happened for quite some time, my husband use to sleepwalk now and then.  He would do things like take a picture off the wall and lean it against the wall on the floor.  Then the next morning he would remember nothing about it.  Other times he would sit up and talk to me and not really be awake at all.

Why am I telling you this?

A few nights ago, I was washing up in the bathroom before heading off to bed, when our 4 year old son came into the hall looking upset.  He was half crying because it seemed like he wet himself a tiny bit.  It was not the first time this has ever happened, so I instructed him to finish peeing in the potty and then I would get him clean underpants and pajamas.

Instead of stepping up on the stool in front of the toilet, our son climbed up the step stool in front of the bathroom sink.  He stood there looking very confused.  I wondered if he was about to pull his pants down and pee in the sink?  I pointed out his error and he got down and finished his business in the toilet.

While he was doing that, I got him fresh clothes and put them on his bed.  Then I went to put the wet clothes in the hamper.  When I came back to check on our son, he was making sounds like he was having trouble.  Why? . . . Well, he was trying to pull his underpants on over his head!

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Review: The Little Looster Booster Potty Stool

When you have little ones using the potty, finding a good step stool is always a challenge. They’re either too tall, too short, to bulky, too small, and the list of issues goes on. The Little Looster booster fixes that problem. Designed to fit around the toilet and never has to be moved, the Little Looster provides the perfect height boost at standard toilets to meet little potty-er’s needs. Its surface is wide enough to provide stability and hits at just the right point so their feet don’t dangle uncomfortably. It even has notches in it for standing and peeing, so it never has to be moved. It’s truly the perfect step stool!

We love our Little Looster. I am actively potty training two children, so this couldn’t have come at a better time. It really lives up to its description and perfectly suit’s the needs of potty training children. It is also made from a very durable plastic, so it will last a long time and its surface is non-slip, so it’s safe to use.

You can buy the Little Looster on their website, www.littlelooster.com. It retails for $34.99.

Thank you to Little Looster for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Silly Monkey Stories: A New Kind of Utopia

Although our 4 year old twins have been potty trained for some time now, once in awhile we still have a potty-related story to share.  Every time our daughter has to use the potty before bedtime, she always takes her time, just to prolong the length of time she can stay awake.

One night, I heard her tell my husband that she thought the last poop was afraid to come out and that is why it was taking so long.  Then my husband told her that the poops want to come out because after they get flushed, they all go to Poopie Paradise.

I think she believed him.

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How To Complete the Last Stage of Potty Training for a Boy

Our twin preschoolers just turned four last week.  They are both completely potty trained now, but they only just completed the last stage of potty training recently, which was wearing underpants 24/7, including during nighttime and nap times.  Our son was pretty much 100% potty trained, but he would not give up his Pull-Ups training pants when he went to preschool or when he went to sleep.  We tried to gently nudge him in that direction, but he just refused.

One day, when we ran out of disposable training pants, I had the idea for us to buy only Pull-Ups for girls, rather than a package of the boy's as well.  When it came time to get ready for bed that night, we made our move.  After his bath, we handed him a Princess Pull-Up.  He immediately protested.  So we gave him a choice to either wear the Princess Pull-Up training pants or to wear a pair of underpants.  He opted for the underpants and the rest is history.

Of course, this technique may not work for all boys.  In spite of my efforts to not impose gender stereotypes on our children, they have formed their own opinions about what should be for boys and what should be for girls.  I know our daughter has had no qualms about wearing Cars Movie Pull-Ups in the past.  Incidentally, once her twin brother switched to underpants full time, she wanted to make the switch as well.

If you try this, I would love to hear if it works for you too.

Giveaway & Review: BabyBjorn Toilet Trainer [CLOSED]

Twintuitive Product #7

I chose this potty seat made by BabyBjorn to feature as a "TWINtuitive Product" because potty training boy-girl twins is tough enough without worrying about swapping potty seats depending on which twin is about to make a potty attempt. I have looked at many different potty seats in the past when we were choosing one for our now 5yr old son. It was very clear that some were more geared towards boys and some towards girls. The one we owned previously had a removable splash guard, but it would be an extra step to add or remove that piece . . . an extra step that will make it harder for the child to get onto the potty on time. This would also keep the child from being able to use the potty more independently as his or her training progresses.

What I thought about the BabyBjorn Toilet Trainer:

1) I liked the contoured seat. It is actually more comfortable for the child to sit on than the potty chairs we have with the cushioned donut seats. Those actually leave an awful red mark on the twins' behinds if they sit on it for more than a few minutes.

2) I also like that the built-in splash guard is gently rounded and does not protrude out too far. I am always worried that the child (boy or girl) would sit on it by accident and be hurt.

3) If you haven't noticed, this seat does not have handles on the sides. Well, it doesn't need it. This potty seat is adjustable to fit your particular toilet seat's opening so there is no unsteady movement of the toilet trainer when the child sits down or gets up from this seat.


4) If you cannot see from the photo, this potty seat (in the Snow white - Ocean blue color) is marbled. I never thought it was possible for a potty seat to look upscale, but this one actually does.

5) Not all potty seats have a handle at the top. A handle not only makes it easier to pick up a soiled potty seat, but it also allows it to be hung on a hook on the wall when not in use.

With the help of our BabyBjorn potty seat, our 2.5yr old son Luke would like to demonstrate proper bathroom etiquette after using the potty . . .

First, throw the used tissue or wipes into the toilet.

Second, watch it go down after you flush.

Last, wash your hands with soap and water in the sink.

To view the full BabyBjorn selection of quality infant/toddler products, visit BabyBjorn.com . Please use the worldwide BabyBjorn store locator to find a retailer near you.

Thank you to BabyBjorn for providing us with both a review product and a contest prize free of charge.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will win a BabyBjorn Toilet Trainer of their very own.

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


How to Gain Entries:
Browse the selection of toddler and baby products offered by BabyBjorn. Then leave a comment telling me which one item you think would make the most useful gift for expecting parents. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

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For an extra entry, fill out the BabyBjorn Believer Survey. Then leave a separate comment telling me that you did.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)

Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Thursday, July 30th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!