This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.

 I have been on a mission to potty train Evan. I had been procrastinating this for the longest, but he is now 28 months and he is ready. Potty Training is an exciting and eagerly anticipated milestone for toddlers and their parents. If your child is showing signs of readiness, spring and summer can be the ideal time to kick off potty training especially is your child is heading to preschool in the fall. Evan has been so excited to sit in his little toilet which has made this transition a little easier, but it has definitely been stressful. I know that the timing is right for Evan but the stress in inevitable. We want potty training to be a positive journey for our toddlers, but leaks, accidents and switching from diapers to training pants overnight can feel like setbacks. Luckily I have kept my cool and we are taking it day by day. We are not fully there, but I know Evan will get a hang of it in no time. I have been on so many mommy blogs trying to get tips on how to potty train my little guy, and I have come to a realization that it's different for everyone. However, I came across L. Jana's, MD, training tips and they have been working for us.
About two weeks ago we purchased a pack of undies for Evan. Evan has been letting us know when he needs to potty, so I figured we didn't need to bother purchasing training pants. I was so wrong! We had so many accidents and my cleaning was never ending. After every accident we had a great laugh and ended up putting a diaper on Evan. I finally came to a realization that we had to purchase Pampers Easy Ups. I am so relieved and Evan is obsessed with them. He pulls the on and off by himself, and it is the funniest this ever. I have learned that Training pants such as Pampers Easy ups can help the diaper-to-underwear transition by allowing potty-training toddlers to set aside their diapers and wear something with more of an underwear-like design that still helps keep accidental messes off clothing, bedding and other surfaces no matter whether they happen at home, on-the-go or overnight. 
I chose Pampers Easy Ups because they have fewer leaks than other leading training pant to help simply and improve the overall potty training experience. Pampers Easy Ups have an absorbent core that holds 25% more than other training pants and help ensure little ones remain dry. I also love that they provide up to 12 hours of protection, it works during the day and night, enabling toddlers and moms to confidently and completely transition from diapers towards underwear. I just can't complain about Pampers Easy Ups, they have been by our side for so long making everything so much easier. Now with this transition we are so happy that Pampers is making it a happy and positive experience. Plus, Thomas the Train is a hit at our house.
Pampers Easy Ups Potty Training Tips
L. Jana, MD   

1. Promote potty learning. Instead of referring to your child’s transition from wearing diapers to using the potty as “potty training,” consider calling it “potty learning.” After all, mastering this eagerly anticipated milestone of childhood takes time, teaching, and plenty of practice and patience!

2. Take a teamwork approach. From the outset, I find it helps to keep in mind that potty training is a team sport. If you simply remind yourself that you are (and always will be) on the same team as your child, it can really help you stay calm in the face of potty accidents and be a much more positive and effective potty training coach.

3. Stock your deck. Part of the secret to your child’s potty success will involve being well equipped and removing any obstacles that stand between your child and potty success. Sure, this typically includes a fun trip out to purchase a brand new first set of coveted “big-boy” or “big-girl” underwear. But it also means having on hand other practical supplies that can help foster your child’s interest and independence – from a step stool (to improve access to the toilet) or potty seat to training pants. That’s why I’m happy to partner with Pampers, whose Easy Ups training pants are designed to help the diaper-to-underwear transition by allowing potty-training toddlers to set aside their diapers and wear something with more of an underwear-like look and feel that still helps contain accidental messes no matter whether they happen at home, on-the-go or overnight.

4. Embrace success. As with any learning experience, young children can learn a lot from both their potty successes and their failures. While potty accidents are an inevitable (and admittedly inconvenient) aspect of potty learning, they shouldn’t dominate your day-to-day discussions. Instead, simply help your child learn to cope with (and clean up) any messes and focus your attention on celebrating your child’s successes with plenty of hugs and words of encouragement.

5. Watch for the signs. There are several characteristic signs and developmental abilities you can watch for that suggest children are ready to potty train. These signs of potty training readiness typically include the ability to use their words to express themselves, toddle their own way to the bathroom, pull down their own pants, and to be aware of the sensation of peeing or pooping (characteristically noticeable when young children suddenly stop what they’re doing as they feel themselves start to pee. Or when they start hiding behind the sofa or standing in a corner to poop. It is also helpful (and increases the likelihood of potty training interest) when children start to be bothered by their poopy and/or wet diapers, as that can serve as a good motivation for using the potty instead!

6. Start making connections. There’s a lot that you can do to help your child be well-prepared to use the potty successfully long before he actually starts to. Reading fun and engaging children’s books about potty training, such as You and Me Against the Pee! (which I co-authored) can go a long way towards making the idea of potty training a family and eagerly anticipated one. You can take this familiarity a step further by letting your toddler accompany you in to the bathroom when you need to go so that he both becomes familiar with the routine and comfortable with the idea of using the toilet, rather than being afraid of or intimidated by it! 
I hope these tips can lead you in the right direction and make potty training a easy/smooth transition!! For more tips and advice join @Pampers on April 21st from 9-10pmEST as they host a Twitter Party with Dr. Laura Jana, pediatrician, award-winning parenting book author and potty training expert who co-authored to It's you and Me Against the Pee...and the Poo, Too! Dr. Jana will be sharing her tips to simplify improve the potty training experience for little ones and their parents. 
Is your little one ready to be potty trained? Well now is the chance to win everything you will need to begin this journey!
  • A pack of Pampers Easy Ups
  • Little Looster Step Stool
  • Potty Ring
  • "It's You and Me Against the Pee... and the Poo, Too!" book
  • $50 AMEX Gift Card