If driving with small children- Add this to packing list

[era710]

One item we will definitely have in the vehicle with us is my DD's old potty chair. We have used this before on road trips and will absolutely pack it this trip also. DD is four and has been potty trained for a very long time now, but we never go anywhere that she doesn't have to go "NOW!!". This usually happens just after we have been convenient to a clean rest stop or 30 minutes after we have stopped to eat. Of course, at this point there are no rest rooms around or they are too nasty to use. If you do decide to pack a potty chair though, don't forget the T.P.

 

[3yL]

We wouldn't leave home without the potty chair in the van. Something that has worked very well for us is lining the bowl with a plastic bag, and then putting a handful of cedar shavings in the bottom of the bowl. It helps absorb a little, and when we get home, we can just toss the plastic bag (tied up like a dirty diaper). It's much easier than cleaning out the potty chair each time.

 

[DisneyBrat]

That sure beats the heck outta granny taking a giant coffee can for me when I was a toddler LOL


Lew

 

[house_of_princesses]

A few years back I purchased a travel potty chair. It folds up/down and the seat holds a one gallon ziploc bag. After use, CAREFULLY unhinge the seat and zip it up. I think we got it from Right Start or Sensational Beginnings. Has come in handy a few times!

 

[GoofieRuthie]

That sure beats the heck outta granny taking a giant coffee can for me when I was a toddler LOL

ROFLMBO!!!!!!! For some reason that just struck me as too funny. I snickered so hard snot flew out of my nose. Oops, I hope the tag fairies are asleep!

 

[carene]

Something that has worked very well for us is lining the bowl with a plastic bag, and then putting a handful of cedar shavings in the bottom of the bowl. It helps absorb a little, and when we get home, we can just toss the plastic bag (tied up like a dirty diaper).

This sounds like a great tip!

 

[phillybeth]

You can make a 'potty chair' for adults or bigger kids with an empty drywall bucket (with lid!) filled part-way with kitty litter. We have used this for tailgating and roadtrips and it works great- much better than trying to find a convienient bush!

 

[zurgswife]

When we had diapers available ...we would put a diaper in the bottom of the potty to absorb the liquids...worked like a charm...(you place the diaper in before peeing.)

 

[tinaluis]

Zurgswife,
The disposable diaper thing is such a great idea. I'm so glad you mentioned it. My daughter has colitis (similar to IBD) and is sometimes struck with an urge to go NOW. It seems like a plastic bag with a disposable diaper on the bottom would do the trick to try to contain things, if you know what I mean.

 

[gshoemate]

What a great tip...wish I would of had it 7 months ago. While moving from Michigan to Florida, I was driving with our 6 month old and 4 year old. Well we got stuck in traffic in the mountains of Kentucky at about 8 at night when my 4 year old announced she had to go potty. With stop and go traffic in the middle of no where there wasn't a whole lot I could do. Lets just say I have one less cooler to take to Disney.

 

[3yL]

For anyone who doesn't already have a potty chair to use, the "travel" potty chairs are inflatable and really aren't expensive. Here's one at One Step Ahead:
http://www.onestepahead.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=153&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=153 It's designed to use the small kitchen trash bags.

 

[phins_jazy]

What a great thing to have with when your camping too. No more getting out of the tent at 2 AM and the nearest potty is too far away. I might just need to get two of these.

 

[mmounsey]

Originally posted by GoofieRuthie
ROFLMBO!!!!!!! For some reason that just struck me as too funny. I snickered so hard snot flew out of my nose. Oops, I hope the tag fairies are asleep!

LOL!

 

[mmounsey]

Excellent tip! This is our first road trip with ds being potty trained and it would stink if we forgot to pack his potty! (he just uses a regular toliet at home)

Love the diaper tip too!

 

[pezheadval]

Great Tip! Thanks! My daughter will be almost 3 for our next trip in October/November and we are driving from New Jersey...so we will definitely be bringing a potty with us. I think that I may bring her little potty insert to use at the hotel, too.

~ Valerie ~

 

[dahess]

We even take our potty chair camping with us & leave it in the tent. My girls refuse to use a porta potty Do you blame them????????

 

[3yL]

We have one that stays in the van all the time. If we are at the grocery store or shopping, and they need to go to the bathroom, they usually ask DH or I to take them out to the van instead of the bathrooms at the store. I can't imagine what we'd do if we didn't have it with us all the time.