I believe there to be 3 major milestones in becoming a toddler:
- Breaking the pacifier
- Transitioning from a crib to a toddler bed
- Potty training
The girls are now 2 years and 5 months. We pulled the pacifier cold turkey at 2 years. A month later we converted their cribs into toddler beds (it only took Scotlynn climbing out of the crib and falling once for us to make that switch). And now, the most daunting task of all, potty training.
Back when they were 18 months, I introduced them to the cutest toddler potties. Purple for Scotlynn; pink for Skylar.
They’d happily sit on them and play, and then when they’d get bored, we’d store them away for a bit and reintroduce them again to spark interest. We’d randomly get a tinkle or two, but nothing consistent.
When we knew it was time potty train
We’ve only officially been potty training for two weeks now, and like I mentioned earlier, the girls are now 2 years and 5 months. “They” say your child will show signs between 18 months and 3 years.
I knew my girls were ready because they would come up to my husband and I and say, “butt.” Their diapers would be full and they wanted to be changed.
I waited for a 3-day holiday weekend (Memorial Day) to be able to stay home and officially commence potty training. Prior to I bought paper, stickers, and candy to track their progress and reward their succcesses.
The first day was awful.
Upon waking up, I immediately took them to sit on the potties and stripped them from their pajamas and diapers to be naked all day. We had practiced this tactic many times before, and I truly believe it helps the process. But yes, expect accidents.
Between trips to the potty every 15-30 minutes and a puppy who seemed to forget how to ring the bells to go outside, day one was full of pee puddles galore!
Not to mention Skylar was not a happy camper. While Scotlynn went through the motions, Skylar resisted with many tears. I didn’t force the issue and instead focused on working with Scotlynn more since she was willing.
That night I ordered a potty ring that sits on the toilet to perhaps encourage Skylar from a different perspective. I personally like this one compared to the original ones I bought for the floor as you don’t have to deal with emptying the basin.
Two weeks into it
Fast forward to today, two full weeks into potty training, and here is where each twin stands:
Scotlynn is doing fantastic. This morning she actually woke up 100% dry! 🙌 I have her in toddler underwear when I’m home and Pull-Ups during naps and when in public. At home she runs up to me (what seems like every 20 minutes) and says, “Mom! Pee!” Every bathroom trip she runs out screaming, “Sticker time! Sticker time!” She even alerts me when we’re out in public that she needs to go and doesn’t seem to have a problem using public bathrooms.
Skylar on the other hand is better, but still a work in progress. We’re continuing to work with her to overcome the fear she seems to have, which from what I Googled is perfectly normal for a toddler. It just goes to show you that even with twins, potty training is unique for each child. Since we’ve embarked on this journey though, she’ll come up to me and say, “butt”, yet her diaper will be dry. I’ll take her to the potty despite her resistance, I’ll just talk her through it, and what’d you know, she’ll go!
Moving forward
In a few weeks is 4th of July, and I’ll have four days off from work to give Skylar more one-on-one training. We have a family vacation at the end of September when the girls will be 2 years and 9 months. My goal is to have them potty trained by then.
I am just so ready to be through with diapers though. In the last 12 months I’ve spent ~$1200 on diapers and related supplies. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel though, and it excites me!