So my thoughts veer today from the ho-ho-ho-holidays to...potty training. Yes. About as non-cupful-of-cheer as you can get. But necessary none-the-less. And here's the thing. There's a whole group of product marketers out there who are trying to get inside your toddler's brain to find that one gem that'll make the process easier. What follows here is a list of some of those gems. Most I haven't tried, and many have made the list simply out of my own disbelief that they even exist...
1. The Peter Potty. Yes, a urinal for the toddler set. See it at www.peterpotty.com

2. Toilet Targets. (I have these--they get more laughter than actual pee-pee) Turn pee-pee time into sport! Available at www.pottytrainingconcepts.com

3. Potty Mitts. Mittens for little ones so you don't have to keep saying "don't touch anything!"; also available at www.pottytrainingconcepts.com

4. Inflate-A-Potty. Lest you be caught potty-less on the road! At www.onestepahead.com

5. Potty Watch. Skip setting the timer--now your little one can wear a watch whose sole purpose is to beep potty reminders. At www.onestepahead.com

6. Folding Potty Seat with Handles. (yes, I have this one) A great lifesaver to convert any toilet to a potty while you're out and about. At www.onestepahead.com

7. Family Seat Potty Seat. For those of you who find it too tiresome to use a removeable potty seat. At www.onestepahead.com

8. Cottonelle for Kids Toilet Paper. Yes, follow the paw-prints to know just how much toilet paper to use (how did we ever survive without it?!?). Available at most supermarkets.

I'm sure there are others I could add to the list. But I just never realized how much of an industry going to the bathroom has become.