Don't just get it because it's 'Dora'
a busy person, buying for a toddler, Practical, Experienced Parent, married, value conscious, budget conscious, potty-training again
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NOV
18
2008
Purchasing A Potty
The one thing I did wrong, was go to the store without an idea of what I really wanted. I knew I didn't want to spend much, that was about it. So I skimmed the potty section, and what catches my eye, but this bright red potty seat with a character my little girl loves, the Dora the Explorer 3-in-1 Potty Set. I will, first of all, admit that it wasn't the first time I've seen it. The very first time was at a friend's house and I thought it was really "cute" then. The plus for me was that it was only $20. The other plus was that it was "3-in-1". This means that it is not only a potty chair, but that it can be taken apart, the seat can be placed right on the big toilet to help the child sit on it comfortably. The bottom part can be turned upside down, which then resembles a tree trunk, and used as a step to assist the child in climbing up on the big toilet or to reach the sink for hand-washing. I can appreciate those two features because my oldest preferred the big toilet over the potty chair, so I wanted to offer both options for my second child.
Toddler Meets Potty
Later on at home, I open up the package and find that it's quite easy to assemble. It came with a "potty training tips" booklet and some Dora the Explorer reward stickers. My daughter loved chair. She doesn't talk much, but she understood when I asked her to sit on it. And that was when I noticed the first issue. As she was trying to walk backwards to sit on it, the thing kept sliding away from her on the tile floor and I had to hold on to it for her. I decided to sit it against the wall, in a corner, so it wouldn't slide on her. Next, she began to play with it, and found it much to easy to take apart. The seat, which can be used on the big toilet, as I explained, does not clip into the base. It just nestles on top, but can easily be lifted up. And since it is light-weight plastic, my toddler has absolutely no problem lifting it right off. I have considered Scotch-taping it in place for the time being. Also, the little green removable bowl where their "potty business" goes, also nestles right on top, no clipping there either. Let's just say my little girl doscovered a cool new "hat" to wear.
Are We Keeping the Dora the Explorer 3-in-1 Potty Seat?
Yes, we are. I am hoping that she will forget that it easily comes apart. She seems to have forgotten about her new "hat", thankfully. But, we have yet to go "hard-core" with the potty training, so I don't know what she'll think of it then. I do think it is worth keeping, at least for the toilet seat and step stool features. The step, does have a non-skid base, so at least that was considered as part of the design. I think the chair itself is still worth keeping and trying. But, if I could go back in time and shop for potty chairs again, I would look for a potty chair that didn't slide around and wasn't so easy for my little one to dissassemble.
Cute chair, great idea, thoughtful features, just lacking a bit in the constructive department.
Ginsey Dora 3-in-1 Potty Seat is not recommended by mhew
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