Since our post about potty truing Banoota was ridiculously long, we decided to create this one which is all about the tools that helped us potty train Banoota and where we got them from.
Here is what you’ll need.
1). A couple of books about the concept of using the bathroom. When you read about to your child, you can always use the book characters as a reference.
We read this one to Banoota and two more which we’ll feature on instagram soon once we have them again.
This book is nice as it’s interactive and has sounds too.
2). We were nanny-less when we trained Banoota majority of the time so in order to avoid cleaning up a potential big mess, we started off with the toilet and just added a fun seat cover that fit Banoota. We bought the Minnie Mouse cover from Mothercare which was we believe 8.500 KD since it was a character she liked. You can find these in most children’s stores.
Mothercare 8.500 KD at the time
Ace hardware Around 11 KD
Note: don’t keep your child on them for more than 10 minutes because with Banoota it caused redness on her thighs if she was on longer and we tried 3 different types from Ace Hardware store, Mothercare and Toys-R-Us.
3). Potty Training underwear which is mainly found at mother care and sizes start from 2 to 3. If you’re starting at the age of 2 years they will be a little big for your child, they didn’t fit Banoota until she was 2 years 6 months. Also, watch out becomes some children become sensitive to the material used to keep them leek proof. Remember to give them a good wash before usage, we have a baby medical rinse option in our washing machine so we always use it for Banoota’s new clothes and other heavy duty items like Pyjamas, school wear and undergarments.
Here are 4 of the sets that they offer in the size 2 to 3 years. They come in sets of 2’s except for the white ones which are sets of 3’s and price range from 2 KD to 5 KD per a set.
The Hello Kitty set had 5 for 7,5 KD and Minnie mouse had 5 for 5.500 KD
You could go straight to regular underwear which gives children a great feeling as its light and not padded. This will also increase your options in stores. We would have loved to get some from Baby Next but we promised Banoota for Hello Kitty and Minnie Mouse underwear which we found in Mothercare. They also have singlets to match which is just too cute. They even have different cuts for children, the Minnie Mouse was a standard cut but Hello Kitty turned out to be boxer briefs.
If you’re looking for something organic and allergy free check out Petit Bateau as their clothes are treated an allergy free designed especially for super sensitive skin.
4). Small rewards you pick out yourself for you child. Neither too small or too big, and when it comes to choosing the small rewards don’t go with standard things your child is used to try to surprise them. Here are some ideas;
a). Skwooshi which is playdoh and sand at the same time. The individuals cost 1.950 KD and sets are around 5 KD available in Fantasy World.
b). A good book, we order majority of Banoota’s books from scholastic because they do have the best collection. Also, her school offers monthly leaflets which makes ordering a lot easier. You can try Toys-R-Us as well, they have a publishing house called KALIMAT which we love for arabic books even though the collection is limited. Of course their are the classics like Jareer and That-El-Salaseil which do have good books from time to time.
c). Small lego sets available at Fantasy World toys.
d). Crayola have some great fun artistic sets which are available in a lot of stationary stores, these pictures were all taken from Yarmouk Co-op book store.
You can try out the brand Play-Doh which have some lovely crayons available in Toys-R-Us.
Or the brand Alex which you can find in Fantasy World.
e). Their favourite sweet or treat. Any special cupcake or treat they just love and don’t always have like in Banootas case it would be a little bit of cotton candy or chocolate macaroons from lauduree. She just loves them since Mama got her hooked on them.
Note: Don’t over do the small gifts and use them for a maximum of 3 days no more. Once your child receives the big gift they will know that it’s the end hence won’t keep asking more more smaller gifts. That was the case with Banoota.
5). A big reward that something you know your child really wants. For us it was the Big Minnie Mouse because Banoota saw a huge one at Mama’s cousins house and got so attached to him that she wanted to take him home. So after Banoota was done training and went to the bathroom for 2 days straight no accident that was her reward.
6). Lots of water and drinks to encourage your child to go to the bathroom at first just for the first 3 days of training. So stock up on juices and other good liquids if your child isn’t a big fan of water.
7). A step stool, if you don’t already have one. For the bathroom so your child can climb up to wash their hands once done. It’s not just about using the potty but also about teaching them to be clean, say the du’a and the whole routine so they get into it young.
This is from IKEA and is anti grip as well.
Good luck!
