When I started potty-training Emilie (who is now four and a half), I developed this habit that has saved my carseat plenty of times. It is this: travel with a potty.
Ok, if you are still reading, you haven't dismissed me as crazy. So hear me out... the little training potties for toddlers work well and fit nicely in the trunk or floorboard of any car. When your little one has GOT TO GO and there is no exit in sight, there is always the shoulder. We pull far off the road, pull out the potty (sometimes literally right next to the car) and dig out some napkins from the glove box. (Napkins in the glove box don't even count as a travel tip. You should ALWAYS have them. If you don't, you obviously haven't been driving too long- or else you just recently had a catastrophic spillage in your vehicle and haven't had time to re-stock.)
So, here are the finer points of the potty in the car (click elsewhere if you are a sensitive reader). If your daughter has to go number 1, use the potty, use the napkin to wipe, but DON'T put it in the potty. Put in instead in the trash bag. Then you can empty the potty at the tree or the side of the road. (Come on, that is where you would have sent your son to go anyway, so what's the big deal?) Then, put the relatively empty potty back in the car and continue on your road trip without much time wasted. However, if it is number 2, try your best to hustle to the nearest exit. Only use the car potty for number two in an emergency situation, and if that occurs, you have to stop at the nearest exit anyway to dump out your potty in the gas station's toilet (which is, admittedly, a bit awkward).
And that is it for the car toilet. It is not a perfect solution, but it works and can save lots of time if used correctly.
2 comments:
I work with Becky and she suggested I should check your blog.
I do not think you are crazy about the toilet. It works great and living over 90 minutes from anywhere during potty training days, I know first hand!
As for the little bit left in the potty, Clorox wipes. Wipe it out with your some of your napkins and then a Clorox wipe.
As for #2, WalMart bags work great! okay get up out of the floor and when you get done laughing you can think about it. Line the potty with a WalMart bag, you can even throw a few napkins in case they go #1 again. :-) Once they are done, double or triple layer your bags, until you are happy. You can wipe out with Clorox wipes or sprinkle with baking soda until you can clean it. This works better than having the full potty hanging out in the car.
I love it. We are definitely bringing my entire "plastic bag cocoon" on our next roadtrip!
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