Brown Mommy Diary

Motherhood & Lifestyle

How To Introduce The Potty: 3 Easy Ways

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer here.

My thoughts on potty training is that it will happen when it happens. As for now, we just want to introduce the potty so that it won’t be foreign. One thing about me, I like to listen to the wise. Even before EJ came into the picture, I have heard from several parents, including my own mother, that you shouldn’t force potty training. Ultimately, it will stress you and the little one out. So in keeping that advice in mind, I’m sharing three easy ways to introduce the potty.

Patience


Woosah! Yes, patience is key even when introducing the potty. When we first began introducing the potty, EJ would not sit down for two seconds-ha, it was awful! Sometimes he would even get fussy if we attempted to place him on the potty. I had to remind myself and my husband that this is new for him and it’s going to require some patience on both ends. We later figured out that he would stay seated on the potty if played Sesame Street video.

Routine


Routine is what you make it. For us, we decided that the best time to place EJ on the potty is first thing in the morning and when he returns home from daycare. We have been following this routine for several months now, which has been really successful in triggering EJ to use the potty– it’s like clockwork…it never fails!

Praise


Whether or not EJ urinates in the potty, we always praise him. A) I want to praise him for actually sitting down, because that really takes a ton of effort for a busy almost 14 month old and B) He most definitely receives the praise when he urinates in the potty.

For us adults, using the bathroom is a simple, easy task and sometimes we can forget how challenging this can really be for our little one(s). If you are interested in the Munchkin Arm & Hammer Potty Chair (pictured above) or the Summer Infant My Size Potty (not pictured), click the images below to direct you to the retailers website.

I really hope this was helpful to you. To stay up to date with Brown Mommy Diary, be sure to subscribe to the Brown Mommy Diary email list.

Finding The Perfect Pair Of Jeans: 4 EASY Tips



*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer here.

To be honest, finding the perfect pair of jeans is all about trial and error. I can’t even tell you how many times I have been so disappointed with a pair of jeans. Simply because they may fit well everywhere else but I have this huge gap in the waist. That’s been my issue for years! My other issue is that the jeans will not go over my hips- over it!
Based upon my experience of searching for the perfect pair of jeans. Here are some quick tips that have helped me along the way.

Measurements

Know your measurements. It just makes the process a lot faster when you already know what size jeans you are looking for.

Dressing Room

Try on the jeans before purchasing! Due to COVID, many retail stores have closed their dressing rooms. However, when everything returns back to normal, try on the jeans before leaving the store. This honestly will save you the headache of having to make a return. Plus, if that pair doesn’t work you can try-on another pair.

Spend The Coin

When you find that perfect pair….PURCHASE! There have been so many times where I wish I would’ve just purchased the jeans that I found. Sometimes jeans that work really well have a higher price point. My suggestion is to purchase a pair every other pay period or wait until you find a really good deal. For example, I know that Lucky Brand jeans are perfect for me. Lucky brand is at a higher price point compared to other brands, but I noticed they are sold at Marshall’s and TJMaxx, which allows me to maybe purchase two pairs of Lucky Brand jeans versus just one at the regular price point.

Patience


You’re not going to always find the perfect pair of jeans on day 1. Don’t force it and be patient.

I hope these tips will help you jumpstart your search for that perfect pair of jeans. Just to put some things into perspective, I am 5’2 and waist down I am quite curvy. As I mentioned above, Lucky Brand jeans have been my go-to. Check out some of the jeans that I have linked below.

How To Introduce NEW Toys

Overwhelmed with toys from the holidays? Trust me, I’m with you. Plus, EJ had a birthday a few weeks before Christmas—double the toys! As the parent, I was overwhelmed and introducing 20+ toys in one sitting to EJ would have been just as overwhelming.


At EJ’s 12 month appointment, his Pediatrician advised us to not overwhelm him with toys being that the holidays were approaching, but what she didn’t realize was that there were already 10+ packages sitting in the guest bedroom for EJ’s birthday. I was so receptive of this advise that we came up with a plan on how we would introduce new toys to EJ.


Here are a few tips on how to slowly introduce toys to your little one.


Start with the most age appropriate toys


For example, if your little one is 12 months old, start with toys that are 12months + and then gradually move to the next age appropriate toy.

Start with 1-2 toys per month


Ideally, they can only play with one toy at a time. Our plan is to introduce one new toy every month. Give your little one the opportunity to play with that new toy for a few weeks or maybe even a month before introducing another toy.

Donate


Toys that are no longer age appropriate can either be donated or stored out of sight. This helps reduce clutter, but also gives your little one the opportunity to play with new toys without being distracted by toys that are no longer age appropriate.