Potty Training Can Be A Challenge! Plus GIVEAWAY 5/31

See that goofy picture to the left? That's my 2 and a half year old daughter, Sophie. Yes, she has part of her potty on her head. It's clean, of course. You see, she likes to pretend it's a hat rather than use it for its intended purpose. (I blame her father's DNA for her odd and creative imagination!) While we get a good laugh out of Sophie's antics, it can be a bit frustrating as well.

We have been trying to get Sophie to go to the bathroom on her potty for months now. She gets the concept. She understands that pee-pee and poopy go in the potty. She sets her huge stuffed monkey on it and tries to tell me he pooped. She also chases our puppy, Trouble, around with the potty after she has an accident in the house. But while she understands what the potty is and what it's for, she has yet to actually do anything in her "big girl potty".

So right now, out hands are pretty full. We're trying to potty-train a toddler as well as housebreak a puppy, both at the same time. Needless to say, I clean up my fair share of messes in a day! I keep telling myself that this, too, shall pass. After all, potty-training is serious business, and it can take months and months of perseverance to perfect. Before any success can come from potty-training, a child must be physically and emotionally ready for the transition.

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How can you tell if a child is ready to begin the process of potty-training? There are certain cues to look for. With Sophie, it became pretty obvious right away. We cloth diaper about 98% of the time, so she definitely feels wetness as soon as she goes. She started tugging at her diapers, taking them off herself, and even says things like "Uh-oh...Pee-pee". It just doesn't get more clear cut than that!

To encourage her to use the potty, we have several DVD's, books, stickers, and other rewards if she chooses to go on the potty. We also give her "naked time", and place the potty in an easily accessible location, encouraging her to sit on it. She will sit on it for a good 20 minutes, but she still hasn't done anything in the potty yet. Some kids need to ease into this process gradually, at their own pace. Sophie is one of those kids. Still, we clap, give encouragement, and keep the potty conversation going, making it as much fun for our daughter as we can.

The most important thing we can do is to be patient, be encouraging, and love our little girl every step of the way. Soon enough, she'll start using her "big girl potty" every time, and we will be so incredibly proud of her. Unfortunately, once Sophie is potty-trained, we will have to start the process with our son Xander, who was born a mere 12 months after his big sister. Oh, the joys of being a Mommy!

For a variety of articles, tips, and advice from other parents going through the potty training adventure, visit Earth’s Best Potty Training Tips. The most important thing to remember is to be sure that your child is physically and emotionally ready for potty training and to leave enough time to make the transition.

Once you begin, Earth’s Best provides a variety of products to make the process run smoothly in an environmentally friendly way. Try using  Earth’s Best Potty Training Pants and TOTS-Chlorine Free-Flushable Wipes to inspire confidence in your children.

If your little one isn’t quite at the potty training stage yet, Earth’s Best Chlorine Free Earth Friendly Disposable Diapers are available in seven different sizes, keeping your baby dry and comfortable until they are ready for the big move!

You can also check out the fun on the Earth's Best Facebook page for more tips and tricks and to meet other parents like you!

WIN IT!

I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will be receiving some great potty-training supplies courtesy of the awesome folks at Earth's Best Organic!

Included are:
Earth's Best Chlorine-Free Flushable Wipes and Potty Training Pants!


Enter on the easy Rafflecopter form below!

This giveaway is open to US Residents 18+ until 11:59PM on May 31, 2012. No PO Boxes. Winner will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook in any way. Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

***Disclosure:As an Earth's Best Blogger,I receive complimentary products and information to facilitate my posts. No other compensation was provided.As always, all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

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a Rafflecopter giveaway