Rymax Family Toilet Seat

...equipment.

You can buy the Rymax Family Toilet seat from:

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk for £31.00 in white or beech effect

www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk for £29.99 in white, beech or antique pine effect

www.mothercare.com for £29.99 in white or beech  ... more

I have been meaning to do a review on this innovative product for ages and, for once, my procrastination means that I should now be able to give a more complete review as during this time a couple more 'problems' have arisen which may be of interest to you.

The family toilet seat is a standard toilet seat with a smaller, trainer seat for toddlers/young children in the toilet lid. When you lift the toilet lid, the trainer seat can be easily released by turning a little knob and, hey-presto, a smaller version of the adult seat folds down!

When I first saw this product in 2003, I was so impressed by it that I bought it - before I was even pregnant! We were trying for our first baby and after another month of no success I decided to cheer myself up by buying a lovely crib that I had had my eye on for ages and while flicking through the Jojo Maman Bébé catalogue, I spied the family toilet seat. Having encountered a range of toilet training devices in my siblings and friends homes either cluttering up the bathroom or giving me a big shock as I placed my delicate derrière on some wonky contraption, I thought this simple, yet ingenious idea was one too good to miss and ordered it as well.

When it arrived, I was disappointed as the laminate used to provide the beech effect was rubbish, all folded and not smooth at all. I contacted customer services and they collected the duff one and sent out a replacement (free of charge). I was much happier with the replacement. I fitted it to the toilet and was really impressed. It matched the other beech items in the bathroom really well, and when you lifted the lid you could see the trainer seat but as it is covered in the same laminated material it blends in really well. It was comfy and easy to clean as well. At that point, I just locked the trainer seat up into the lid and used the toilet seat in the normal (child free) way.

When little D came to an age of beginning to show interest in going to the toilet, at around one and a half, I started to let her sit on it before a bath just to get used to the idea. It was so handy, as it was just there to use whenever she fancied it rather than either having to go and look for the trainer seat or having it laying around our rather bijou bathroom. This really helped her to accept the idea of going to the toilet and I am sure it helped with the very smooth transition from nappies to potty/toilet that we experienced.

When she first started I just plonked her on to it and held her there but now that she is older and more experienced she uses the Step 'n' Store footstool from The Great Little Trading Co (www.gltc.co.uk). This is a really sturdy and wide footstool which is probably why it is rather pricey at £17.99, but she can climb up and down safely by herself. She can now also lock/unlock the trainer seat herself (she is two and a half now), which means she feels like a very big and clever girl!

So, on to the 'problems'. The only problem that is not as a result of my own misuse is the tendency of the laminate to chip. Ours only has one chip which was as a result of a falling bottle of nail polish (which was maddening considering how rarely I have either the opportunity or inclination to do my nails!). I have a bathroom cabinet above our toilet and it fell out and bounced off the toilet lid resulting in a big bit of the varnish to come off. I was worried that it would all start peeling off once it got wet when cleaning it, but it has been fine. The only problem with the chip, is that it ruins the look of it.

The self inflicted problems are the ones that I mentioned in the first paragraph which have only happened in the last three months or so (so nearly three years since buying it). Taking each one in the order it appeared I will start with the rubbed laminate. In recent months as D has become more able in the bath, I have stopped sitting on the floor right next to the bath and have taken to sitting on the toilet lid while she plays. This has resulted in the little feet that are on the base of the toilet lid rubbing the laminate on the toilet seat which has left two little white marks on the beech effect laminate. It has not caused the seat to become uncomfortable and the laminate is not peeling, it is just a shame as it spoils the effect.

The second problem has come about due to the use of the Step 'n' Store. Since using the footstool, I have taken to just sitting on the toilet side ways (sorry if this is too much information!) rather than move the footstool out of the way. Since taking up this lazy habit, the toilet seat has started to come off its fixings. It is easy to fix and providing I sit the proper way, it doesn't happen.

**UPDATE**
I am pleased to advise that the above problem has now been fully remedied!! My super sidekick (him in doors) has just decided to have a good look at this problem and has fixed it! He took the whole thing apart and found there is a bar that runs through the hinges to keep the whole thing together. This bar needs to be able to move freely but due to a build up of limescale it had become stuck at one end which is why it kept coming off - obviously sitting sideways on the seat didn't help, but this was not the main problem.

He has soaked it in white vinegar (the housewife/husband's favourite) and but it all back together and it is moving freely now and the seat is secure. As a bonus, the vinegar also makes the hinges extra shiney!

Finally, I am rather embarrassed to admit, I have broken the toilet lid! Well, cracked it. It was late at night (no I had not been drinking!) and I had an itch on my back. I was trying to see what it was, so knelt on the toilet lid to try and see in the mirror. As I put my weight on my knee, I heard and almighty crack and thought I was going to go right through! Luckily, it just cracked on the underside and it still functions perfectly well. The only problem, again, is that it's overall appearance is now rather battered!

So, overall, this is a fantastic product provided you treat it with respect! It takes the bashings my daughter has given it, so it is only the adults you need to watch out for! It is sturdy, good looking and very easy to use and store. It is at the top end of the price range for toilet seats, but you are getting one and a half seats for the price of one! I would recommend this product to anyone looking for toilet training equipment.

You can buy the Rymax Family Toilet seat from:

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk for £31.00 in white or beech effect

www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk for £29.99 in white, beech or antique pine effect

www.mothercare.com for £29.99 in white or beech 

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