Potty Training - Week 9

Days 57-63

8/23-8/29

This week was the first full week we used the new toilet/potty thing.  It works, when it gets used.  He still won't tell me though my sister says he tells her so there have been accidents.  Lots.  *sigh*

Ok, so lets talk about this contraption.  It is called Mommy's Helper - Padded Potty Seat with Step Stool.  I got it from Walmart.com and got shipped for free to the store that is a few minutes from where I live.  Assembling it was quite easy but you do need to pay attention and follow the very simple instructions.  Then it was time to put it on the toilet.



I really like how it sits on the toilet.  It does not lock into place, it can easily be removed once correctly placed.  This is because what holds it in place are plastic tabs under the seat that go inside the toilet seat.  These tabs keep the potty seat from slipping around.  It has two towards the front and two towards the back.  On our toilet all four didn't fit inside the toilet seat.  I think this was done to fit the biggest standard toilet.  I do not have a problem with this since it still sits securely in place.  I tried wiggling it around and it did not move.  I tried it both ways, with only the front tabs in and with only the back ones in.  Either way, the tabs that do not fit inside the seat only raise the seat slightly and not awkwardly at all.  I have decided to use it with the front ones in since it seems more important to have the front of it securely in place since the step stool is attached.  Also, when peeing his penis tends to move and so urine gets on the seat.  With the front right on the toilet seat it is easier to contain and clean.

I could have probably gone with just an seat without the step stool and been satisfied.  However, I have found I like the stool part a lot.  He doesn't get on it yet, I still lift him up and sit him on it.  However, his feet sit flat on the step which I think is a lot more comfortable than having them dangling.  I remember this from being small, actually, that I hated how it felt especially when I had to sit for a while waiting for someone to come clean me.  Eventually, once he has mastered this well on his own, he can get on and off without me worrying about him so much.  I can see little parts getting caught as he tries to slide off the toilet without a stool.  And no, there will be no standing to pee until he can clean after himself.  Also, when he is done I have him stand on the stool so I can clean him and pull up his underpants and shorts.  This is very helpful to me since I have a bad knee and a bad back.  Another advantage of having the stool is that I can simply stand it against the wall when we're not using it.  If it was just the seat I don't really know where I'd put it since the roundness of it would have it rolling.  And, again, with my bad back and knee bending over to pick it up from the floor would get old real fast.  It really is out of the way when it's not being used.  The seat folds down (or up, it's taller and therefore easier to reach up) and thinly.

He seems to really like it.  He likes using 'the big potty' and is quite proud of it.  And with this he can actually use it all by himself instead of having someone hold him.  And he seems quite comfortable on it which must make it easier to just do his thing.

Being silly

This is one of the times I tried it with the tabs in the back inserted.  You can see the gap in the front.  Still just as safe but more places for urine to fall through.

He likes getting to flush and saying bye to his pee.

Washing his hands.

You can see the stool he uses here.  If it wasn't for the handle, which you can see by his thigh, I would have simply bought a seat.  Oh well, I am satisfied with this purchase.