Potty Training: What You Haven’t Heard

So I am three days in to attempting to potty train my twins.  Everyone keeps telling me that they are too young, or not yet ready, but imagine a monthly diaper bill TIMES TWO!

Yes, I know they were Preemies so I need to think about their adjusted age for development. Yes, I realize that they are barely talking. My response to all of that is…. it’s still possible.

I am home with them so why not try. Teaching them functional words such as potty, etc. is a great way to increase their vocabulary, and I am not opposed to sign language.

I am not frustrating them. We celebrate successes excessively, and just try again if they aren’t successful. So the only real downfall has been my sanity (and our washer is getting QUITE the workout).

The girls are 21 months old, so I started with pull ups for a few days with no success what-so-ever. The next step…big girl panties! Hey, we have had a nice Indian Summer lately so why not!

I used this strategy with my oldest and she was almost completely potty trained at 15 months, and was even wearing big girl panties to bed successfully at 2.5.

Now day three into big girl panties with the twins…NO SUCH SUCCESS. I think today was the first day that both girls have actually used the potty successfully at least once. I am not giving up though! 🙂

I just continue to stock my arsenal of supplies in the bathroom. Yesterday, I added a basket of panties and pants to make changing easier. Today, I added books, and a toy or two.

I am also well stocked in Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer. Plus, two stools for my oldest so that she can use the potty and wash her hands independently. Top it all off with the worlds smallest bathroom and it’s quite the comedy act!

With all that said, here is what they may not tell you about potty training:

1. It may take longer than 3 days or even a week. Don’t give up!
2. Be prepared for more failures than successes, especially in the beginning.
3. Be prepared to spend your life in the bathroom (make up songs, read books, play I Spy).
4. Be prepared to do A LOT of Laundry and or clean furniture/carpet.
5. Don’t be surprised if they regress a little once they seem to have gotten the hang of it (it doesn’t always happen but it might).
6. Make a timer your new best friend! I have them all over the house so that I remember to take them regularly! If we are successful then I wait 20-30 minutes, if we are not I try again in 10.

They will get it, I can promise you that. I just can’t promise that it won’t take blood, sweat, and tears to get there! 🙂

If you are in the potty training trenches now, hats off to you! Here are a few songs I’ve made up to entertain the girls during our frequent sessions.

Potty Around The Corner (to the tune of Mambo #5)

1,2,3,4,5 Everybody’s going Potty

So come on let’s ride

To the Potty ’round the corner

Potty ‘Round the Corner

*Now just imagine Lou Bega singing that one!

 

This is the Way We Go Potty (to the tune of This is the Way We Clap Our Hands)

This is the way we go Potty

Go potty, go potty

This is the way we go potty,

each and every time!

 

Pee-Pee on the Potty (to the tune of what I think is The Cha-Cha)

Pee-Pee on the Pot-tay (over and over)

 

We will go Pee-Pee (to the tune of We Will Rock You)

We will, we will go Pee-pee

On the Potty

We will, we will go pee-pee

On the Potty

*Complete with hand claps

This is Tuna saying Potty. I love the way she says it! 🙂

 

If you have a newborn and are just trying to mentally prepare, don’t be scared! Potty training is fun, exciting, a little messy, and just a great part of helping your little one grow up.

Yes, it can be frustrating, tiring, and messy but helping your little one reach this milestone is worth all the mess.

Plus, just think of all the crazy potty training stories you will have.

Here is one for you:

B (my oldest) was pretty well potty trained but for longer car rides I always put a pull up on, just in case. We were headed to the beach which is about an hour away from home, so I decided to chance it, no pull up! 15 minutes down the road she gives me a warning, so I ask if she can wait and she says yes. Halfway there it has become a full-fledged emergency with NO public restrooms in site. Now some people in these cases are way more prepared than I am and carry a training potty in the back of the car. Me, I grew up in the country so roadside outhouse it was, except that this pee-pee emergency turned in to way more than that. Now imagine trying to hold/carry a bare-butted child on the side of the road while frantically searching for something to clean her up with. I would have given money to be one of the cars that passed us!

Thank you, as always, for stopping by! Feel free to comment or email for questions or just to chat!

Warmest Wishes, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Dani

 

In search of a potty for training check these out:

 

 

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