Potty training, like all things parenting-related, is a tremendous amount of work in the short term to foster independence for both you and your child in the long term! Fortunately, advances in technology have also led to advances in potty training.
Enter the Potty Training Watch. Yes, you heard that right, a watch to help your child master potty time and take some of the stress off you as the parent. First, let’s delve into determining when your child is ready to potty train and then decide on the best potty training watch for their needs!
Signs Your Toddler is Ready for the Potty
The average age to begin potty training is 18 to 24 months old. However, some children do not show signs of readiness until three years old. Studies have shown that beginning the potty training process before the child is ready can lead to setbacks, causing the training process to take significantly longer.
Potty Training Readiness Checklist:
- Shows interest in using the potty by watching others or wanting to mimic their behavior.
- Can keep their diapers dry for more than 2 hours during the daytime or completely dry during nap time.
- They seek privacy when peeing or pooping, either in a separate room or behind a piece of furniture.
- They can walk and run. Since the urge to pee or poop can come on suddenly, the child should be able to get themselves to the potty physically.
- They can communicate the need to use the potty either verbally or with signals such as pulling on their diaper or pointing to the bathroom.
- They can undress themselves enough to pull down their pants, diaper, or training pants.
- They can understand and follow simple instructions.
Potty Training Watches Your Toddler Will Love
What exactly is a potty training watch, and does your child need one? The purpose of the potty training watch is to use fun songs and/or lights to indicate to your child that it is time to sit on the potty. It motivates your child while making potty time fun! Most watches come equipped with 30, 60, and 90-minute intervals, with some watches offering additional options for the parents to activate.
Prior to potty training watches, it was solely up to the parent to set reminders for themselves and then remind the child that it is potty time. With these kid-friendly tech devices, everyone can be notified simultaneously, taking pressure off parents while encouraging the much-desired independence of the toddler. Watches are in the $20-$30 range, making them an affordable option for families.
Watch for Potty Time:
- The Original Potty Training Watch
- Athena Futures
- ABC123
- Kidnovations
The Original Potty Training Watch: With a new water-resistant version out in 2019, the Potty Watch is keeping up with its newest competitors. It features music, lights, and a choice between 30, 60, or 90-minute timers.
In addition, it boasts a stainless-steel buckle and a hypoallergenic jelly wristband. It is available in three colors (pink, green, and blue) and has a price point of $20. The downside for some parents will be the two alkaline button cell batteries (included).
Athena Futures – Unicorns, Dinosaurs, and Rainbows Galore: This stylish silicone band was designed with toddlers in mind. Four fun designs, including dinosaurs, unicorns, princesses, and rainbows, are available in either blue, yellow, or pink. You also have the option to buy bands separately. The Athena Futures watch is rechargeable using a USB cord and features a true watch face that depicts the time digitally, allowing the watch to grow with your child once they’ve mastered potty time.
This watch offers a two and three-hour timer in addition to the standard 30, 60, and 90-minute intervals. The timer is looping and can be turned off at any time, including nighttime. The Athena potty training watch features music and lights, retails for $24, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ABC 123 – Slim and Streamlined: The ABC123 potty training watch has a straightforward design instead of the character designs and flashy styles of other brands. This simplistic look will be ideal for many children. It comes in either a pink or blue silicone band, with a digital time-telling watch face.
The ABC123 watch includes the standard 30, 60, and 90-minute timers that automatically reset after the timer has gone off. The watch does not require a battery and comes with a USB cord for recharging. This potty training watch retails for $25.
Kidnovations – Good Vibrations: Parents love the vibration feature on this potty training watch. In addition to playing music, parents can opt to silence the watch in favor of vibrating instead. The vibration setting is ideal for school or visiting other quiet locations, when parents are working from home or if a sibling is taking a nap.
The Kidnovations watch features a digital watch face, similar to other watches in this category, a rechargeable battery, and is water-resistant. The silicone watch band is available in 4 colors: blue, pink, purple, or black. In addition, it has multiple timer options available in 15-minute intervals; 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. Price ranges from $20- $32 depending on the color and design option you choose.
Is It Potty Time?
Whether you and your child are about to embark on your potty training journey or you’ve already begun, potty training watches are a great way not only to teach but reinforce potty time habits.
Watches with a digital clock face grow with your child. They can be repurposed for learning and mastering future goals, such as completing homework, cleaning up, knowing when to turn off the TV or when it’s time to come inside for dinner.
The potty time watch carries the appeal of an adult accessory, which is always a big hit with the toddler crowd—they love anything to help them be like mommy or daddy, right? Help your kiddo’s potty training experience with one of these watches. There are multiple methods for potty training kids; find the one that works best for your family!