Happy girl!
**Sorry lots of bodily functions mentioned in this post- but hey when you're potty training that's all you talk about! I always want to know more details about how people survive this stage, so I put in more details than most of you want I'm sure!
I like to start easing my kids into potty training when they turn 2. We get out the potty chair, we read the books, we watch Elmo's potty time, we buy the undies, we start practicing pulling our pants up and down, talk about it every diaper change, let them follow you to the bathroom etc. We don't actually go cold turkey and lose the diapers but I let them try whenever they want to and I sit them on there before bath etc.. If they ever happen to go in the potty I make a HUGE deal- call a relative, get some candy, clap, hug, kiss, cheer- the works! With Charlotte I finally bit the bullet and potty trained her at 2 years and 3 months. She was ready sooner but I was nursing twin babies and and I wanted to wait until Matt was off for a week after Christmas to help.
With the twins Matt took out all our tile the week after they turned 2. Which meant we had months and months of construction- including flooring, cabinets, and sinks. Not the best time for potty training. We decided to wait to do the bathroom tile when we do the shower, probably next year, so I decided at Christmas I couldn't use that excuse anymore. Plus Matt loves to use his Christmas break from work to help with potty training (ha ha!). Well the week came and Matt and Abby were both super sick and throwing up. Not going to happen. Then I was so tired and nauseous first trimester- the thought of getting off the couch to run 2 toddlers to the bathroom every 15 minutes made me gag. Basically there is never a good time to potty train- but the thought of 3 in diapers again is very good motivation.
Finally in March, 2nd trimester for me, 2 years and 8 months old for them- I'm feeling better and they are so super ready. Most of their little friends were done months ago. Oh well. I use this method from this old school book Toilet Training in Less than a Day. You make sure they're physically and developmentally (i.e. not in a stubborn stage) ready, then you go cold turkey with lots of positive reinforcement and bribery for a day and gradually less reminders until they do it all on their own. When they have an accident- they have to do most of the work to clean it up and practice running to the potty- much better than yelling or time outs. It makes a lot of sense with what I know about teaching procedures and child psychology in general. It has worked really well for my kids- Abby would try to wear underpants for fun and always end up wet 15 minutes later- after we did the official potty training day she almost never forgets or needs reminded.
I dropped Olly off with Auntie for the morning while Charlotte was at playschool. For the first time in her life Abby and I were home alone together for her "potty party". It was so nice to give her so much attention. She soaked it up. She didn't have a single accident that first day- she loved potty training the doll, she wanted to go all the time so she could get more candy. We called all her relatives who dutifully made a big deal for her- even daddy at work. Basically the kid was super easy. A week later I even drove to Cornville- of course she got a horrible case of diarrhea and had a few accidents- but I can still count her number of accidents on my two hands. She did not want diapers for naps and bed either. She does great using the potty at other places and holding it til we get home if she needs to. We've had a few regression days lately but overall she was a champ- and almost no poop issues- which was a relief since she'd never successfully done that before the potty party day.
It's amazing how easy it was to have only one in diapers. But Olly was super jealous of the treats and stickers so he started going more. When Abby finished her potty chart- we started Olly a couple of weeks later. I'd been warned not to try twins at exactly the same time, so I staggered them a little- but still close enough to benefit from the sibling rivalry! I think I could have survived 2 at once but it was nice to just focus on one kid since twins almost never get to do milestones alone.
Tune in for Part 2: Potty Training Olly- potty training 2 kids in 2 months!
Way to go Erin! I've never been brave enough to go for it while pregnant. Glad it went so well.
ReplyDeleteahhh memories. I was 3 months prego with Aidan when i decided to train the twins. they were 2 years 6 months- ethan trained first and hannah like 2 days later. If Ethan hadn't trained, I don't think Hannah would have right then. I totally agree with you and one seeing the rewards the other one was getting :)
ReplyDeleteThree kids in diapers is the worst--I'm glad you trained them! I actually like potty training two together. It was twice as hard and I really did live in the bathroom those first few days, but heavens I was glad to have it over with!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! Potty Training is always an adventure. We are still working on naps and nights and sometimes I wonder if diapers were really all that bad :)
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