Potty Training ~ The 3 day method

It seems impossible to say but I think we did it - the girls are officially potty trained! Potty training them has been on my mind for the last month in a half to say the least. It was clear they were no longer interested in wearing their diapers and we were trying everything possible to get them to keep those diapers on! Prior to them not wanting to wear their diapers they had each used the potty several times but nothing too consistent so we decided they weren't quiet ready yet. Eventually they started showing more signs of readiness. Telling us when they had to pee pee or taking off their diaper just after it was wet or right before.

So the decision was made - it was time. I did some of my own research, asked other twin moms, read some blogs, and tried to remember how I went about it with Kendal and Madison. Mostly I remembered how easy it was with Kendal and Madison, both right around 20 months they pretty much trained themselves. But for a list of reasons I was pretty nervous about tackling potty training two at once. I mostly followed the 3-day method as laid out by Amber Massey {Here}. She is one of my most favorite twin mamas and her success had me feeling pretty confident that we could do it too!

Day One ~ We didn't get started until the afternoon as we had to go and buy a second potty.. we decided on two potty's instead of one- we had just been using one while the girls were "practicing" and it often resulted in fights over who got to sit first. We had several pairs of undies and treats for rewards along with special books to keep them entertained while on the potty. We had our undies on and we talked about the potty and how we were to peepee in the potty not on the floor.  We set the timer for every 15 minutes and the girls had plenty of fluids to keep them needing to go potty. After the first timer went off we took them right in and Charlotte was the first to go... a lot of dancing and celebrating took place. Livy didn't go so we went back to playing. They did great with the undies although they were a little confused at first but they quickly forgot about them. We had a few accidents before nap time but for the most part there was little confusion as to what it meant to sit on the potty. Charlie did very well with only one accident; Livy was about the same. After nap we immediately went back into our undies and I had to get ready to leave for a meeting so the older girls and daddy were on potty detail. I received several texts and photos about how well the girls were doing. A few accidents here and there but for the most part they both did great for day one.

First moments in our undies!

Lots of play time 

Taking the dogs out

Some light reading

Checking on the bunny

Day Two ~ I pretty much expected for there to be some back stepping to start the day. I think wearing diapers for bed and nap time can be a bit confusing. Even though that is the direction we decided to go for now I knew it would present some challenges. We kept with the timer to start the day out but we changed it to every 20 minutes- both girls started off pretty good with a few accidents here and there but they seemed to remember what we were doing. About half way through the day Charlotte started to get really uncomfortable every time the timer went off and I would take her to the potty. She clearly was not enjoying going to the bathroom. I decided that after nap we would stop with the timer.  Olivia kept using the potty pretty well but Charlotte was having accidents pretty much every time. One of the 3 - day method posts I had read said that on day 2 you should take them out of the house for an hour... I thought there was no way I could do that!! On Tuesdays we head to my sister in-laws for dinner - she lives about 30 minutes away so I figured the car ride could count. I was so nervous taking them out of the house given the struggles we had that day, but hubby convinced me we needed to give it a try. I couldn't bring my self to put them in the car in just undies so I put them in diapers... We packed up both pottys, undies, and extra clothes. We made it to my sister in-laws and they were dry - I couldn't believe it! We put them on the potty right away and Livy went!! Charlotte continued to have accidents but then something must have clicked and she went on the potty the rest of the night! We decided we would try and leave them in their undies for the ride home and I was a nervous wreck! I kept telling them to tell mommy of they had to go potty... they didn't say a word! We got home and they were dry! To the potty we went and they both went!! A great end to day two!

Outside fun waiting for our next potty break

Day Three ~ The supposed "Magic Day" I was happy with the way we ended day 2 and I was hopeful we could continue the success into day three; the day it is supposed to "click". Livy again started out great she was even telling us when she had to go potty and was going pretty regularly with little accidents. Charlotte too was doing well, she wasn't telling us when she had to go so I decided I would still take her in every 20-30 minutes. Except when I would take her in she was still getting upset and saying "no" every time. I took to social media and some of my fellow twin moms to seek advice on how to handle what was going on with Charlotte. I was directed to another 3 - day method document/blog and upon reading some different ways to encourage using the potty I decided to just leave Charlotte alone and to watch her like a hawk. If she pee'd on the floor I would just take her into the bathroom and remind her that it is not ok to pee pee on the floor  / in our undies. I basically let her lead me and I followed her cues, this worked pretty well for her! We left the house to head to the store and I was again a nervous wreck.. neither one of the girls would go on the potty before we left so I thought there was no way we weren't going to have an accident. I took them to the bathroom as soon as we got to the store but they were both so afraid to sit on the potty there was no chance of going.  We did our shopping at lightening speed and headed home- both girls went in the potty as soon as we got home... phew. The rest of the day went pretty well, we had minimal accidents and I just kept reminding them over and over and over again- "tell mommy when you have to go potty". I would still take them into the potty if they hadn't gone in a while and most of the time they would go with no problems. Even though we had a good day three I can't really say that was the magic day or the day that it all came together. They were better and I could see progress so I was happy.

Just waiting and waiting and waiting 

Gotta stay hydrated.... and full of fluids to encourage using the potty

We are now just about a week in (today is Sunday .. day seven) and I have to say I feel confident that we are moving in the right direction. The subsequent days we had our ups and downs some days better than others. Saturday (day six) was the best by far the girls went to the potty on their own or told us each time they had to go. I think we had a total of 4 accidents that day - I was feeling like it had officially "clicked". Today.. Sunday has been rough ... Livy has been telling me pee pee after she went in her undies and Charlie would do the same.... but once again we ended the day well.

I am learning that the most important thing with potty training and especially potty training twins is to be consistent ... hands down. I noticed that if I would take my eyes off them for a few minutes or if I hadn't reminded them in a while to tell me if they had to go that is when the accidents would happen. I also learned that it worked best for us to just let them guide the way by watching their cues or telling us they have to go potty. Even if we hear the word potty or pee pee we have to take them in no exceptions. We made the mistake several times upon hearing them say these magical words of asking them "do you have to go potty" the answer is always no... ALWAYS. The would pretty much wet their undies minutes after we asked them. I can pretty much guarantee the frustration will set in and you will feel like its not going to work or maybe its too soon - but its so important to not let them see you frustrated (trust me I know) because they will not want to even try to use the potty.

We still have a bit to go - but I am confident they understand to use the potty and they are beginning to understand how to listen to their body when they have to go. I do recommend the 3 - day method no matter which version you chose just remember to be flexible and patient with your little ones, and don't be afraid to do what works best for you!!

How we make our trips to the store :) 

Selfies with the girls after a successful potty break