[dalbert]

My dd is 2 1/2 and has been using the potty during naked time (or going outside) for about a year. Lately, she's been asking to have her diaper removed when she has to go. Last night, she decided that she's ready to switch to big girl underwear! Okay, so now we're in unchartered territory. A friend advised me to set a rule from the outset that once the switch is made, you can't go back to diapers (except for sleeping). There will be accidents, but we'll get through them. But I don't want to set her up for failure...I want her to be able to go when she has to go. My big question is what do we do when we're out and about and no where near a bathroom? Should we get some kind of portable potty for the car? She's never had to hold it for more than a minute or so while she runs to the bathroom or to a good spot outside...I don't know if she can hold it much longer than that. My biggest concern is not the mess of having accidents, but it's maintaining her confidence level with this new challenge. I don't want her to suffer failures because I'm not prepared. But none of my friends with older kids found a portable potty necessary. Am I being paranoid about this and about to be suckered into buying an unnecessary product or is this a valid concern?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Di (mama to Rylee 11/01)

 

[ctdoula]

Congrats on the move to panties.

My dd was been out of diapers since April 30. I have a potty chair in my car (in the back, I have a station wagon). It's the BEST!! It's just a plain potty chiar/seat like found at Walmart of similar. But, it's our special car potty. I carry TP & a plastic bag to keep the used 'wipe'. This potty has saved me many times. I always have dd try to pee before we go anywhere, etc.

As for the accidents, we just say "oh, the pee pees wanted to come out. Next time tell Mama/Dada & we'll go on the potty" and that's it. We just clean up & move on. No big deal. I think if you keep it positive, it won't be an issue.

I also wouldn't tell your dd no more diapers... it would probably make her want them. Just get her panties & make a big deal about them.

Good luck!!

 

[Evan&Anna's_Mom]

During this phase with my son, we made sure to go right before leaving the house. After travel time, we were rarely very far from a potty, though sometimes you have to be creative about finding it. I also learned to ask as I went into a store where the restroom was, just in case I needed to find it in a hurry. You really can make it from the front of the grocery store to the bathroom in under a minute! My big complaint was the few stores that "didn't have a public bathroom". I swear, it should be against the law to be open to the public without a restroom. I did plead with a couple, with reasonable results. Otherwise, I was very sure that I knew where the closest bathroom was at all times. Also, we changed parks to one that had a bathroom. They really do learn very fast to hold it for a few minutes until you get to the toilet. But until then, carry an extra set of clothes at all times (or 2 or 3, depending).