Potty training one child is a challenge. Potty training twins is like gearing up for an Olympic event. It involves double the equipment, double the training time, double the mess, and parents who posses exponentially more patience. Since starting to teach my three and a half year old boys to use the toilet six months ago, I have hit several roadblocks. From my own trials, I have compiled a list of things to watch out for to help other parents of twins navigate through this tough terrain.
Starting Blocks
• It took me one day to realize that one potty chair was not enough for two kids. The process is stressful enough without throwing in the "share" factor. Little ones can't really wait their turn, and since potty training is all about their individual growth, having two gives them the space they need.
• Creating a potty routine as most books recommend -- getting two busy toddlers in the bathroom, to do the same thing at the same time -- is a logistical problem. My solution is any way possible; we have conga lines, potty parties, story time or any activity that will entice my two to join me.
• Going diaperless with twins, like mountain climbing without a rope, is high-risk. Given the impossibility of keeping a close eye on two bare-bottomed kids, who will not tell you when they have to go, there is no way around the accidents. After cleaning up my ninth accident of the day and carrying each child down the hall to the bathroom innumerable times, I decided to keep the potty chairs nearby. Since kids are constantly in motion, this is no easy task. But until some smart person decides to invent a double porta-potty seat on wheels, stacking up two seats and schlepping from room to room is the only option.
• Because of the noise level and the intensity with which they play together, it is harder to get twins to listen to anything, let alone pay attention to the subtle signals inside their body. Short of using a bullhorn, the easiest way to get their attention is to transfer the fun to the bathroom. I let them bring everything (our bathroom looks like a playroom) -- whatever they need to sit and focus on the potty for even a few minutes.
• A lot of the motivation for potty training comes from watching and emulating the "big kids." Since my twins need only look to each other for approval and validation, external peer pressure does not enter the picture.
