v 4 issue 4: Potty Parade

Potty training can be a trying time for the child and the parents. But the rewards of saying goodbye to diapers and seeing the look of accomplishment on your toddler's face make it well worth the effort.


Cover by Heather Star








1 Turn any toilet into an instant potty with the BabyBjorn Toilet Trainer. Perfect for kiddos who are out and about frequently and are particular about the seat they use (i.e.-afraid of the big toilets). This seat can be kept in the home for easy transition between a potty and toilet, or pack it in the car for visits and public restroom use.

2 Baby Bjorn has The perfect chair for taking care of business! High back support, armrests, and lots of legroom keep tots-in-training comfy while they sit...and sit...and then sit some more. Take it from experienced trainers, this seat is GREAT-no complaints, no leaks, no splatters and super easy clean up. Find it at Crocodilebaby.com

3 Public toilets are full of ick, but this seat cover is just the trick...the trick for germ-free rest stops that is! Over-sized, disposable seat covers with a special barrier to keep bottoms dry and germ free are utterly fabulous for keeping clear of public toilet yuckiness. The potty toppers stay in place with adhesive tabs and come in a resealable pack for easy storing.

4 Children can wiggle, giggle, and eventually tinkle their way around the world on a potty adventure in The Potty Dance . The great folks from flattenme help children step into the pages of a storybook and become its main character through life-like digital photographic imagery. Just pick a favorite photo, add a little personal information, and for a small price you've got a quality, award-winning personalized storybook!

5 Groggy, late night clean-ups can be stress-free and easier with a mattress cover. A DriNights Waterproof Mattress Protector is the easiest and quickest clean-up around. Fits up to a full size bed. Place it over the mattress and tuck in the ends-it's that easy. If an accident occurs, no need to worry about the mattress because this cover is super absorbent. One is great, two is ideal for cleaning and prevention!

6 Alright, you've been in those big kid underpants for a while now, and it's time to celebrate. You got this great t-shirt for only $19.95, and there is extra cash burning a hole in your pocket. Now, it's time to let the world know you did it, so potty like a rockstar. Get it in blue, get it in pink...just get it at My Rockstar Baby!

7 Picture this: you just packed everyone in the car and it took forever, one of the kids says, "I have to go potty!", and there are no restrooms around anywhere. No need to fear because you just picked up the all-inclusive potty bench from babyuniverse.com This potty has everything you need for easy cleaning, storage, and portability. Use it in the home or on the road and have easy access to everything needed for on the spot training.

8 Bringin' on the giggles since its first publishing (in Hebrew) back in 1975, Once Upon a Potty is the classic tale of Joshua and his journey from diapers to tighty whiteys. He figured out the necessary toileting techniques and so did Prudence, his female counterpart. Both their stories are available in the original book format or on DVD. The best part is...you can get an anatomically correct Joshua or Prudence doll, along with a pint-sized potty, to help with the teaching.


This weeks mom tips:
10 tips to help you reduce the amount of gas you use-

1. Get that "Check Engine" Light Checked Out:
Possible Savings: Off the charts
A faulty oxygen sensor -- a fairly common cause of those unexplained "check engine" lights -- can actually cost you up to 40 percent of your engine's performance. If the light's on, make the appointment now. It could pay for itself very quickly.

2. Check Your Tire Pressure:
Possible Savings 133.9 gallons/year ($542/yr)
According to some government estimates, the average driver could boost their fuel efficiency by 25 percent just by keeping their tires inflated. That's often a free, or cheap, repair. On my way to work, I pass two gas stations with air compressors I can use for free, and three -- apparently owned by cheapskates -- that take quarters.

3. Change Your Air Filter:
Possible Savings 60.9 gallons/yr ($247/yr)
Gas is half of the combustion equation. Air is the other half. A clogged air filter can rob 10 percent of your engine's efficiency. A new air filter can get that 10 percent back -- usually for under $15.

4. Drive 60 on the Highway, Not 75:
Possible Savings: 57.8 gallons/year ($234/yr)
On the highway, stay close to the speed limit, and keep your speed as constant as traffic allows. Most cars reach optimal gas mileage at about 60 miles per hour. Speeding up increases wind resistance against the car, making the engine work harder and burn more gas. According to the EPA, each 5 mph over 60 that you drive decreases fuel efficiency by up to seven percent.

5. Turn Off the A/C:
Possible Savings 31.9 gallons/yr ($129/yr)
Some air conditioners rob an engine up to five percent of its fuel economy. There is some controversy about this one -- many newer cars are able to compensate for the energy used by an air conditioner and don't suffer the same penalty for keeping cool.

6. Get Your Engine Tuned:
Possible Savings 25.8 gallons/year ($104/yr)
Most of us can boost our mpg by four percent with a simple tune-up.

7. Drive Calmly in the City
Possible Savings: 17.9 gallons/yr ($73/yr)
There's a red light up ahead. You're going to stop when you get to it. Do you keep your foot on the gas until it's time to brake for the light? Most of us do, but that doesn't necessarily make sense. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that accelerating rapidly and braking hard can reduce your car's fuel efficiency by as much as five percent. And that may be a low estimate. Look at it this way -- are you willing to spend money to stop at that light sooner?

8. Lose Weight:
Possible Savings 13.1 gallons/yr for each 100 pounds you remove ($104/yr)
Government estimates say that an extra 100 pounds in your car can reduce fuel efficiency by up to two percent. And that's an average -- the smaller the car, the more extra weight makes the engine work harder.

9. Lose the Roof Rack
Possible Savings 13.1 gallons/year ($53/yr)
Wind resistance is the enemy of fuel efficiency. Do you have a roof rack? Every time you drive, it's making your car fight wind resistance, and burn fuel. Most of the time, that's money you're spending to carry an empty roof rack. Get a two percent boost by taking the thing off.

10. Change Your Oil on Time
Possible Savings 6.6 gallons/year ($27/yr)
After 3,000 miles, changing your oil (using the recommended grade) gives you back one percent of your car's mpg rating.

If you follow the tips above, that's $1,514 less you could spend on gas in the next year. Though it's a rough estimate, it shows you what small changes in your habits -- most of which you can make for free -- could do for your wallet.
Copyrighted, U.S.News & World Report, L.P. All rights reserved.

Potty Training and your Toddler


Know When Your Child Is Ready
One of the most important things to consider in potty training is whether or not your toddler is ready for it. He may be ready earlier or later than his siblings, cousins, or your friends' kids.



Some signs that your little one is ready for potty training include:
* Going two hours or more without wetting a diaper
* Awareness of urination and bowel movements, before or while they happen
* Being bothered by a dirty or wet diaper or telling you that he has one
* Expressing interest in using the potty

Two years is a common age for potty training readiness. But some kids are ready earlier and some later. Most experts agree that there is no need for concern unless your child is 4 years old and still expresses no interest in using the potty.

Preparing for Potty Training
When your child is approaching two years old or sooner if he shows interest in using the potty, there are some ways you can encourage his curiosity. There are many books about potty training designed for toddlers that use pictures and fun rhymes to discuss learning to use the potty. Reading these to your child can educate him about bathroom etiquette and encourage him to ask questions. It's also good to let your child in when the parent of the same gender is using the bathroom. This lets the child see in person what is expected of him.

Once your child is ready, you can start encouraging him to use the potty. You will probably want a potty chair, but there are also some other products on the market that can help you with this. Diapers that have disappearing symbols or let your toddler feel wetness can help him learn when he needs to go to the potty. There are also sticker charts that you can use to keep track of your child's progress. A small reward each time he gets a set number of stickers can provide an added incentive and encouragement.

Potty training is one of the most important phases of a child's development. It is also a frequent source of stress for parents. Following the child's lead and giving rewards and encouragement can make the transition much smoother for both toddler and parents.