Share this with a fellow mumma who is about to begin toilet training.
In my last blog post, I discussed my twins’ impending 3rd birthdays and the dreaded ‘threenager’ antics that would shortly be upon me.
While I was writing that post, I decided to undertake two significant milestones with them: toilet training and changing their sleep situation (converting their cots to ‘big boy beds’).
Until I realised how silly it was for me to have the twins attempt two massive lifestyle changes simultaneously.
So, we’re starting with toilet training – and it’s as hard as I thought it would be.
“Children might be ready for toilet training if they have dry nappies for 2 or more hours, know about poos and wees, and can pull pants up and down.” – Raising Children website.
At first, reading the above statement, I thought there was no way my boys were ready.
But in fact, I actually wasn’t seeing the signs.
Levi and Tate do tell me when they have done a ‘phmm phmm’ (poop – usually secretly in the corner of the house somewhere).
They have recently figured out when they are/have weed in their nappies, now verbalising it.
They’re also curious when Bryce or I go to the toilet—there’s nothing like having two toddlers standing on your feet watching you wee.
So while I’ve got some free time while being unemployed, I thought I’d give it a go.
Before deciding to start toilet training, I wanted to get the twins acclimated to the toilet.
In the afternoons, I would take their nappies off and allow them to run around and play free of them.
I was slightly concerned I would stumble upon a disaster zone of toilet accidents around the house, but I was quite lucky.
Every 10 minutes or so, I would ask Tate and Levi if they needed to go to the toilet.
At the time, I also didn’t have a potty or a toddler toilet seat for our regular toilet.
Thankfully, boys being boys, I was able to encourage them to ‘use’ the toilet by me lifting them up, hovering over the toilet and letting them ‘wee’ into it.
Until one day, they did start weeing into it!
They enjoyed it, I think finding it a novelty.
While lifting two 13kg toddlers is good for my arms, it’s not good on my back.
So I invested in this sturdy toddler toilet seat from Amazon as a starting point.
Last week, the twins and I stayed home all day on Tuesday so they could practice regularly.
I let the twins be nappy-free for the day and asked them constantly if they needed to go to the toilet.
By the end of the day, I feel they were use to me asking and would then tell me if they needed to go.
They both had one accident during the day, and Levi took an opportunity to wee through a hole in our outside decking.
We were predominantly successful on the weeing front I’d say.
However, this is certainly not sustainable, being stuck at home all day.
Especially with my toddlers, who love to be outside.
But again, it was only when I read that it if you could, you should stay home for a few days when starting with toilet training.
It makes sense, having consistency and being close to a bathroom.
Plus, I have two little ones and only one toilet in our house.
I am curious – how do people manage while outside the home?
Do you carry a potty everywhere you go?
Ten pairs of underpants and pants?
I also prefer not to use a potty other than outside the home, if possible.
I just see it as another thing to train the twins out of.
After that successful day, we haven’t attempted another full day of toilet training.
I felt pretty overwhelmed with it all, it also requires a lot of patience.
So what does a person do to make themselves feel better about an impending task (or to put it off)?
Online shopping!
I purchased other items from Amazon to help encourage the twins and relax my worrying mind.
You can view them here in my Amazon storefront.
I purchased stickers to try to limit our reward system from being ‘food-only’:
“If you pick up your toys, I’ll give you a bickie…”
“If you get dressed, I’ll give you a choccy…”
However, I do continue to take their nappies off at the end of each day and practice using the toilet then.
So, I guess it’s something.
And I will be toilet training them over the next few weeks.
We need to get through the next big life event! I will share in my next blog, which will be live on Wednesday, October 2nd. So stay tuned!
Do you have any tips for toilet training? Comment below and help out a mum in need?
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Hi, I have 3 1/2 year old twins. I trained them when they were 2 1/2. Check out the “biglittlefeelings” instagram page. I highly recommend their potty training course. It tells you exactly what to do, say etc. They do say kids can be trained in 3 days…mine were probably 90% there but definitely had it down pat after 3 weeks. I was highly apprehensive about the whole thing and thought it’d be super difficult but it was actually fine. It is one of those things you have to stick with. Once the nappies come off, that’s it. No more nappies, only pull ups for sleep. Also no outside incentives 😉 The course explains it all. Good luck 🤞🏻 once your boys are trained you’ll wonder how you ever survived the nappy phase. Cheers, Christine
Thank you, Christine! You’ve given me hope!
Liss