Potty Training Twins - Oklahoma City, OK

J., I have 4 1/2 year old twin girls. I successfully potty trained the two of them at about 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 months (or 31 1/2 months of age). I had tried twice before and failed because they weren't ready. We got each of our daughters their own potty chair and let them pick out their own "big girl panties". I found that it was easier to just put them in panties and only use a diaper at naps/bedtime. I told them that if they wet themselves we would just change clothes, but that I wasn't going to give their diapers back to them except for when they were asleep. Each twin went at their own pace. One caught on quicker than the other as far as how many accidents they had, but as the week progressed they each started having fewer accidents. It just takes time and patients. We even made up a little "potty dance" for after they were successful and that made it more interesting. Good Luck. Mother of 3 J.

When I was in high school, I had the good fortune to babysit twins for the summer. One thing that worked for me was giving praise to the twin who did well in front of the other twin. That gave the other the incentive to receive praise as well. As the others said, it's very difficult to potty train. I found my son to be more difficult than my daughter. You're doing very well.

Hi J., I would say that if you have them going before their baths and before bedtime, before/after naptime, first thing in the morning all of those things you are doing great. Start at key areas when you know they will have to pee. Just get them into the habit of going maybe even move them to pullups that way they see a change and the are getting older. In potty training you have to have 3 things consistency (between all parties- daycare, parents), patience and the correct age for that individual child. And a little goes into gender I believe. girls seem to be a little younger and faster and boys seem to boy older but only take a little longer. But then again not every rule applies to each child. I think you are doing great don't stress about it and it will come for all 3 of you. mom of 4 W.

J. you are doing fine! I too have twins as part of our family. It takes time(as you already know). I agree that you have to approach the children as the seprate individuals they are. At 2 1/2 y/o they will have good days and bad days. They will do well and then 'forget'. Don't let a day care provider or sitter pressure you to train them before the children are ready! Also...if you haven't yet...get in touch with a twins club in your area...they support of others who truely have been there with multiples...will be of great value..not only with potty training...but with daily life!

God love you J., you're in a position most of us will never experience. I would guess that you ought to approach this as if they were not the same age. You wouldn't expect two children of different ages to learn at the same pace. Even though they are twins they are seperate people. Perhaps looking at it from this point of view might help ease some of the stress you could be feeling.
Also, try to remember it generally takes time to potty train ONE child.... and here you are with two on your hands! I don't envy you in the least.
If you're already doing this, then I have no advice, only respect for your position. My best wishes go out to you and your famliy.