Children can begin potty training at the age of 12 months all the way up to 4 years. That’s a huge range! How do you know when it’s the right time to start working with your child? Well, you need to watch for certain signs like emotional readiness and the ability to control bladder and bowels, to recognize the need to go, and to communicate the need to go.

Studies have shown there are many benefits to signing with your baby. As young as 9 months old, a baby often knows what she wants but can’t communicate it to mommy and daddy causing lots of frustration on both sides. By teaching your baby very simple signs like eat and drink, she can easily tell you what she wants, long before she can talk, reducing frustration and raising self-esteem and self-confidence.

Baby Signs is leading the efforts to help parents sign with their babies and now they have come up with the Potty Training Kit to help you potty train your baby at an earlier age. Many children are ready to potty train as early as 18 months but just aren’t able to communicate well enough to make potty training a success. That’s where the Baby Signs Potty Training Kit comes in. Each kit includes a book for mom and dad to help guide you through the potty training process and has diagrams of signs you can teach to your baby. There’s also a DVD for baby to watch to teach her 5 potty signs and introduce her to potty training, a lift-the-flap book for baby to read, and stickers to help reinforce what a great job baby is doing. The kit has a cute potty train theme all children will love so it comes with a wooden train whistle for baby to blow when she needs to go potty or successfully goes on the potty! This kit is sure to make potty training your youngster easy and fun!

Win it! Win your own potty training kit. Visit Baby Signs and check out all their great products. Comeback and leave me a comment about your favorite product. Be sure to leave your email so I can contact you if you are the winner. This giveaway will end August 5th at midnight. I will email the winner on August 6th. This giveaway is open to people with mailing addresses in the US and Canada only. Good luck!

The perfect diaper bag is hard to find. For me, functionality is the biggest must but coming in a close second is style. Just because I’m a mom, I don’t want to give up my cute and trendy bags for a frumpy, functional diaper bag. That’s where Jenny Norene Design comes in.

The Sport Utility Bag from Jenny Norene Design is practical yet chic. The bag measures 18” wide x 11” high x 5” so it’s roomy interior will hold everything you need for any outing. With seven interior pockets, two exterior bottle pockets, and a large outer pocket that zips for those items you want to keep in easy reach, there really is a spot for everything. I really like that the interior pockets are made of mesh so you’ll be able to easily and quickly find anything you are looking for. And for the most important items, your keys and paci, there’s an interior key chain/pacifier clip. The Jenny Norene Sport Utility Bag zips closed so when you need to stash your it, everything will stay put.

The interior is water resistant and can be easily wiped clean . To keep your bag looking great, the bottom is now made with a water and stain resistant trim. For diaper changes on the go, you’ll get a coordinating machine washable nylon changing pad with a velcro closure.

Tots Magazine readers can get 15% off their purchase at Jenny Norene Design with code tots15 (expires Sept 15, 2008).

This is my first ever Bloggy Giveaway Carnival and I’ve decided to giveaway the new Phineas and Ferb DVD. Actually, it’s so new, it hasn’t been released yet! But Tuesday morning, I’ll be headed to Target to get two copies, one to keep and one for the lucky person who wins this giveaway.

If you’ve never seen Disney Channel’s Phineas and Ferb, you’re missing some good family fun. It’s summer vacation and Phineas and Ferb, two stepbrothers, come up with all kinds of outrageous activities to keep them busy like building a rollercoaster or becoming one hit wonders in a day. Their antics drive their sister, Candace, crazy and she spends her summer trying to bust them but something always happens to clean up all the evidence just before Mom arrives. Then there’s Perry, the family’s pet platypus, who’s secret identity is a secret agent. Perry always manages to thwart the plans of his evil nemesis, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, but in doing so also manages to unwittingly remove any evidence of the boys’ daily adventures.

This series is great for kids and adults alike. Lots of fun for the kids and some humor that will go right over their heads that only the adults will get (like references to things that happened in the “90s). I usually don’t mind the kids shows on TV but this is one I really like and look forward to when it comes on.

Win it!!! Leave only one comment below before 8:00 am eastern time on Friday July 1. Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner. The winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Friday, Aug. 1. I will only ship to US addresses. Thanks for visiting.

I’ve been MIA the past few days because I’ve been potty training my son. We’ve been trying to potty train on and off for a year now with no luck. Little Bug has shown zero interest and gets down right upset when the word potty is mentioned. But with preschool looming right around the corner and the mandatory requirement that he be potty trained (or at least making good progress at it), I stepped up my efforts to get him going on the potty. My last ditch effort was to take up the rug, put a thick comforter on the couch and just let him go diaperless! Of course, I had to keep a very watchful eye (so not much time for blogging). But, so far, it seems to have paid off. He started off with three accidents on the floor but they were easily cleaned. The fourth time he had to go, he sat on the potty all on his own, started going and then called for me to see! He and I both were so excited and proud! He seems to have figured it out! Only two accidents in the past two days!

But now that he is a big boy and no longer in his diapers, I am faced with all new worries and have to say it was so much easier when he was in diapers. I need to remember to remind him to go potty and when we go out I need to worry about things like always figuring out where the closest restroom is and how to protect him from all the germs on the toilet in public restrooms. Yuck! And it not just his bottom I am worried about but his hands, too, because like lots of other kids he needs to hold on to the seat to keep from falling in. That’s were Green and Clean Potty Covers come in. Unlike other potty covers, the Green and Clean potty covers really are oversized so they completely cover the toilet seat and then some to protect both bottoms and hands. They are also nice and thick, unlike those skimpy, thin covers you find in public restrooms. They have adhesive strips to hold them in place so they won’t slip off when you put them on. They don’t have a plastic layer on them like other brands, so you may need to wipe the seat if the person before you sprinkled when they tinkled. But since there’s not plastic you don’t have to feel guilty about using a disposal cover and harming the environment since they are made of 100% cotton and will be quickly degraded.

Stock up since you’ll be using lots and lots. They are just $6.95 for 10 at One Step Ahead.

The winner of the Bugaboo Announcements gift certificate is Debra F. Congrats Debra!

Bunny B. Congrats. I know you’ll be thrilled with your Frecklebox book.

By the way, the people over at Frecklebox were so thrilled with all the wonderful comments Tots Magazine readers left, they are offering a 15% discount on all products until 7/31. Enter the code totsmag in the shopping cart to get your discount. Order now and get a head start on your holiday shopping!

When I was contacted recently by ABC Gift Boutique to review their potty training diaper cakes, I was quite intrigued. I’ve seen lots of beautiful diaper cakes but I’d never heard of a potty training diaper cake. I must say, I was quite impressed.

The potty training diaper cakes include everything you need to get your toddler started potty training including diapers, toilet paper, Pull-Ups, big boy underwear and a box of Kandoo wipes. At the bottom is a book about potty training to help introduce the potty training concept to your child. To top it all off, the cake topper is a toy for your toddler to receive once she has reached her potty training goal. A list of potty training resources for mom and dad is also included. You can get the potty training diaper cakes with some of your favorite characters on them, including Lightening McQueen (Cars), Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego Go, and in a princess theme.

We all know that potty training can be a trying experience for for both toddler and parents so many parents give a gift to encourage potty training. A potty training cake would make an excellent gift from mom and dad (or grandma and grandpa, for that matter) to get your toddler excited about the potty training process. Just think how surprised your toddler would be to receive this!

Visit ABC Gift Boutique to see their potty training diaper cakes. Be sure to mention that you heard about ABC Gift Boutique here at Tots Magazine to get 5% off your order through December 31, 2008.

Miranda won the free pack of SafetyTats. Congrats!

The winner of the TOMtotes tampon or pad pack is Vicki B! Congrats Vicki.

For our last giveaway this week, I’ve got something for you from Bugaboo Announcements (my other site)! If you are looking for unforgettable custom photo birth announcements, invitations or holiday cards, well, we’ve got what you’re looking for. And if you don’t see a design that completely matches what you have in mind then we’ll design something just for you.

We offer photo cards in three sizes, 4×6, 5×5 and 5×7 all of which are affordably priced. Our photo cards are professionally printed on the highest quality photo paper so you can be assured your family and friends will cherish them for years to come. You can also choose to have your cards printed on heavy cardstock and even have a matching design printed on the backside.

What ever your style is Bugaboo Announcements can work with you to find that perfect card for your special occasion. And we’ll send you proofs using your photos at no charge so you know exactly what your card will look like when you finalize your order.

Win it! We are giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to Bugaboo Announcements.

2 ways to enter

1. Visit Bugaboo Announcements and them come back and leave a comment telling me your favorite design

2. Sign up for our email newsletter (be sure to leave a comment letting me know your a new subscriber so I can enter you twice for the giveaway).

Contest ends July 24th at midnight. Open to US residents. The winner will be notified by email on July 25th. Good luck!

I have an awesome giveaway today! I recently reviewed a personalized name book from Frecklebox which my son and I absolutely loved, er, still love! (Click here to read the review). The My Name is… personalized book isn’t like other name books that just include your child’s name in the story, your child’s name is actually spelled out in each of the beautiful photos. For example, on one page lady bugs spell his/her name and on another page its spelled out by stars in the night sky. This book is so well done! Frecklebox has two other personalized name books as well, Hiphop Howie and his pal, in which your child becomes the main character of this book full of rhymes and …goes to the zoo, which is about a trip to the zoo and includes wonderful photos of zoo animals with you child’s name hidden in the in the photo for them to find. Frecklebox creates lots of other personalized products, too, including their new coloring book, Color Me… Each page has a fun design and your childs name to color.

Win it! Frecklebox is generously giving away one hard cover book of your choice and one coloring book. To win, visit Frecklebox and have a look around. Comeback here and leave a comment telling me your favorite Frecklebox item by Midnight on July 23rd. Make sure you leave your email address so we can contact you if you’re the lucky winner. The winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by email on July 24th. Good luck!

In case you didn’t know, the newest Backyardigans DVD, The Backyardigans: Mighty Match-Up!, was released last week. Its just as good as the other Backyardigans DVDs with four entertaining stories and lots of fun music. My son and I have watched it so many times that I could probably recite it word for word already! The episodes on this DVD are: Match on Mt. Olympus, The Great Dolphin Race, Ranch Hands From Outer Space and Caveman’s Best Friend.

Win it! In case you haven’t rushed out to buy this DVD for your child yet, I’m giving you a chance to get it for free! All you have to do is subscribe to our email newsletter by Midnight on July 23, 2008. If you’ve already subscribed, well, then you’re already entered. We’ll pick a random winner and notify the winner by email. Open to US residents.

Note: You must subscribe to our email newsletter (upper right corner) to enter. Leaving a comment will not get you entered.

SafetyTats are temporary tattoos for your child personalized with your cell phone number (see our review from June here). SafetyTats were invented by a mom trying to keep her children safe and what a brilliant idea! Now, SafetyTat is giving you the opportunity to win your own pack of 30 personalized SafetyTats.

To win: Visit the SafetyTat site.  Comeback and leave me a comment telling me which style you would choose if you are the winner.  Do this before midnight (EDST) on July 21st.  Make sure you leave your email so we can contact you. The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted by email on July 22st. Good luck!

MRM is the winner of the DaniNotes giveaway. Congratulations MRM!

We’ve been posting reviews here at Tots Mag for a couple of months now but wanted to do something to celebrate our beginning and we figure better late than never!  So everyday this week, we will be hosting a giveaway!  Be sure to check back everyday to see what you can win!

I’ve never found any type of bag or case that I really like that conceals my “Time Of the Month” accessories. Either they are too big to fit in my bag or purse or they just scream “its that time of the month!”. So I always find myself stashing my pads and tampons in the pockets of my bag and and then trying to be really sly and slip them into my pocket without anyone noticing. Well, no more because TOMtotes has created the most unique totes to keep your “Time Of the Month” accessories neat and discreet.

Depending on your preference, you can choose the tampon tote, panti liner tote, or the combi tote. The tampon tote holds two regular tampons and looks like it might actually be a sunglasses case. The panti liner tote looks more like a coin purse but it really holds two small pads. The combi tote looks like a wallet but allows you to carry a combination of tampons and pads. Each one is made with a colorful and fun fabric and tied with a coordinating ribbon so no one will ever know what is actually inside. Prices start at just $12.00 and shipping within the US is free!

Win it! TOMtotes is giving one lucky Tots Mag reader a TOMtote of their choice (either tampon or pad). Just visit the their website and have a look around. Comeback here and leave me a comment telling me which TOMtote and fabric you would choose if you are the winner. Do this before midnight (EDST) on July 20th and make sure you leave your email so we can contact you. The winner will be randomly choosen and contacted by email on July 21st. Good luck!

Although my full time job now is being a mommy, I have a Ph.D. in science and know all about those little “germies” that can make you and your family really sick. That’s why I get really freaked out when I go grocery shopping with my son and think about all the germs he could be exposed to when I put him in the shopping cart. They might look clean (or maybe they don’t) but they are really covered with all kinds of germs that cause colds and flus. When my son was an infant, I kept him in his car seat so he never touched the cart. He quickly outgrew his infant carrier and I just shuddered at the thought of putting him in the cart and him mouthing the disgusting push bar that everyone else had put their dirty hands on. So I started looking for a shopping cart cover to protect him. I came across cart covers that covered just the front and back, leaving the sides exposed. Others had to be tied on or were made of multiple pieces which seemed too hard to use when your arms are already full with your baby. I decided on the Clean Shopper shopping cart cover and have been absolutely thrilled with it.

The clean shopper is so easy to use. It is one piece and slips on easily with one hand so no need to put baby down. It covers the whole seat; front, back and sides, so your baby is completely protected from all those germs that could make him sick. Not only does the Clean Shopper protect babies and toddlers, but it makes them so much more comfortable. In fact, the first time I used it with my son, he cuddled up with his teddy and went right to sleep. Boy, that was a great shopping trip! The Clean Shopper is made from quilted, cotton fabric to help pad baby. It has two pockets on the sides to hold sippies or grocery lists and two loops to hook toys on to keep baby entertained. It also comes with a safety strap to keep your child secure in the seat. It is machine washable and holds up well washing after washing and when not in use can be stored in the carrying tote that comes with it. The Clean Shopper fits wooden restaurant high chairs, too. so no need to buy a separate cover.

Visit the Clean Shopper website to see all the great fabrics these covers come in and see the other useful products they offer, like the traveling ABCs shown in the photo above. Clip them on the loops for your baby to play with or to help your toddler learn to associate foods that start with each letter. Enjoy 15% off your order when you check out with the code TOTS.

The winner of the BabySpareWear GC giveaway is Molly. Congrats Molly.

It’s not easy to get your children to write thank you notes but maybe it would be a little bit easier with these adorable note cards from Dani Notes.

Dani Notes is a mom-owned company that specializes in creating fun and stylish, personalized stationery for everyone in your family. There are so many great kids designs to choose from including a rocket flying high through the stars to a sweet, fluffy, pink sheep. And there are plenty of designs for mom, too. I love the brown owl and the little bird designs for myself.

Each set of flat note cards and matching colored envelopes comes in a plastic case tied with a ribbon making them great for gift giving. I also love the idea of ordering matching stickers and enclosure cards. Put them in or on your gift and eliminate the need to buy expensive cards for the countless number of B-day parties your kids are invited too. You’ll be left with more money to spend on the gift or keep in your pocket, whichever you choose.

Visit Dani Notes and see the large variety of designs for yourself. You can get a set of 25 note cards for only $28.00 so they are very reasonably priced. Be sure to use the code TOTSMAG4U to get 10% of your order.

Win it! Dani Notes is giving one lucky Tots Mag reader a set of note cards with matching stickers. Visit the Dani Notes website and have a look around. Comeback here and leave me a comment telling me which design you would pick to be on your note cards and stickers if you are lucky enough to be the winner. Do this before midnight on July 13th and make sure you leave your email so we can contact you. The winner will be randomly choosen and contacted by email on July 14th.