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Time for the BritMums Carnival at the gingerbread house!

Many moons ago I signed up to host the BritMums Carnival and my time has finally arrived! Today I bring to you some brilliant posts from the best parenting bloggers about ….. potty training! Forgive me for the theme but potty training is currently headlining at the gingerbread house and I am in need of tips, advice and useful products to help ease the transition from nappies to big boy pants for my reluctant toddler.

The parenting blogging community have generously shared some brilliant posts. Whether the potty years are far behind you or you are in need of some advice please read on, comment and share.

At what age should you start potty training?

Mirka at All Baby Advice thinks you’re never too young and her eldest daughter was potty trained by the age of 15 months, it looks like her youngest is following her example!

Kirsty at Ruth and Rosie’s Adventures found herself dealing with a toddler who knew her own mind and decided when she was ready (or not!). Similarly, adventurous POD shows she is in training for potty training and keeping her poor mum on her toes.

Mari at Mari’s World bravely potty trained her twins whilst on holiday. I laughed when I read her post but through sheer determination it was mission possible, with a little help from Haribo.

Karen at Woman Wife and Mum has children of a similar age to mine and gives me hope that they might both encourage each other. We’re already following Clarina’s laid back approach which is working slowly but surely for us.

Useful and not-so-useful products

Catherine who blogs at Story Snug recommends a great book, Pip and Posy: The Little Puddle, which she says was by far the best book for potty training that she used. Her review can be found here and I’ve ordered a copy to read with my toddler.

Transatlantic Blonde made the biggest reward chart I’ve ever seen for her little boy and I’m thinking this might work well for my son if I replace the boring old stars we’ve been using for his favourite Cars stickers. Make do Mum has also shared her free downloadable potty chart which worked a treat with her daughter.

Sarah at Crew Cut and Newt went down the Gina Ford route trying out (one of her many best-sellers) Potty Training in a Week. This routine takes commitment, so Sarah packed the potty and de-camped to her parents for moral support and the use of their washing machine. The routine was abandoned by Day 3 but not before valuable lessons had been learned by all, most importantly that mother and child both need to be ready. Mummy Zen shares her useful top tips for potty training.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed this BritMums Carnival. It’s been a real joy to put together and I’ve loved spending time reading new-to-me blogs and I feel more confident on our potty training journey. I’m going to end on a high note and urge you all to read Hayley’s post on keeping a sense of humour during potty training. It’s impossible not to when you see the plush wee and poo she uses with her daughter, as well as her laugh out loud Poo Gate post.

pooandpee

Image from Downs Side Up

Let the potty training commence.

9 Comments

  • Reply
    Karen Marquick
    March 26, 2013 at 8:44 am

    Really useful carnival, lots of info there. Thanks for including my post too xx

  • Reply
    Make do mum
    March 26, 2013 at 9:55 am

    Hee hee, love those toys! Thanks for including my chart and hope your potty training is going well x

  • Reply
    Downs Side Up
    March 26, 2013 at 10:07 am

    You can never have too many great posts on toiletting 🙂 Thank you for including Poogate in the carnival too. H x

  • Reply
    Kirsty
    March 26, 2013 at 10:39 am

    A great selection of posts on the potty training milestone. Thanks for including me in my first blog carnival!

  • Reply
    Catherine
    March 26, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    Thank you for including my post in your carnival. I hope your potty training experience isn’t too stressful and that Pip and Posy help you too!

  • Reply
    Melaina25
    March 26, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    It was huge but it got filled up quickly 🙂 Toddlers pee a lot lol! You can get Cars stickers really cheap at the pound store–we’ve got a HUGE Cars fan too!

  • Reply
    Clarina85
    March 26, 2013 at 9:17 pm

    Daunting but exciting times… I’m sure we’ll all look back and laugh when the potty training journey is over! Thanks so much for including me in the carnival… Hope the laid back approach works for you too!

  • Reply
    Mari
    March 27, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    Thank you for including my Mission Possible post this is a great resource for any mother approaching that scary time which HAS to be tackled sooner or later. Great round-up

  • Reply
    James Parkin
    March 28, 2013 at 10:30 am

    Hi, I’ve written a novel (under the name Claire Williams) for anyone who is currently experiencing the joys (or otherwise!) of potty training. It’s a fun read which I hope parents will enjoy. If you’re interested then please have a look at my website, by clicking on the link below, where you will find more details and can read the first chapter.

    Adventures in Potty Training

    Thank you.

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