twin 3year old 's

Debbie - posted on 10/20/2010

My 3 1/2 year old girls did the same, so I focussed on praising the one that was going to number 2 more when she did go while still praising them both for going to number 1. We also went to getting a lollipop if they pooped which was a great motivator - one word of advice though, don't have an endless supply of lollipops, keep it going for as long as they need to be reminded to go, when they start going by themselves gradually fade out the reward and say there are no more left!!

Dayna - posted on 10/10/2010

i have 31/2 year old boys and one was more confident than the other to start off with but in time they were both confident and doing it i think alot of praise is needed to make them feel that what they have done is the best thing in the world... this is the method i used and they were both fully potty trained before they were 3.

Keryn - posted on 10/10/2010

I wouldn't force them to use the toilet. I have almost 3yo twins and both still want a nappy on to do poos. It is just a lack of confidence and forcing the issue will do nothing for their confidence at all. My belief is they will get around to it when they are ready. If you force it they will just get upset and then doing poos becomes something to be afraid of.

Good luck!

Lily - posted on 10/09/2010

Potty training seemed to be all up to my boys. One went before the other and then regressed and then vice versa. I just let them go when they were ready, no forcing, I just had them sit on the potty lots. I put underwear on them and only used pull ups at night. They did have accidents but I always had extra clothes and pretty soon they were going regularly. I realize it gets discouraging but keep it up and they'll be going in no time.

Lona - posted on 10/08/2010

Just keep trying with the other one they will catch on in time. Remember NO two kids do things at the same time.And we are here if you need us!!

Marjory - posted on 10/08/2010

Im going throught the trials and tribulations of potty training as well. My b/g twins just turned 3 and when you say they go back and forth they go back and forth. A few weeks ago I was so excited because I thought I at least had one done with pull ups. My daughter went two weeks with panties and being dry and had one accident and she refused to put pack on panties. MY son on the other hand is very comfortable and content with his pull ups and is "HER" biggest cheerleader when she is dry...lol It's a challenging but I know everything about having twins is, so I dont make a big deal about it and knwo that eventually we will be out of pull ups and they will save mom a lot of money!! lol

Wendy - posted on 10/07/2010

Potty training is one of the places where you get to experience the joys of twins individuating. It's really common to have them go back and forth...one does it, one doesn't...then the other one starts...then the first one stops or does something else new and special. Breathe deep and trust your children. Focus on positive feedback. Acknowledge the achievement every time for the one who is using the potty: "I knew you could do it!" "Do you feel like a big girl now?" "How does it feel to be out of diapers?" Ignore and don't make a big deal out of the other one's issues. Help her to manage as much of the process as possible to build confidence and competence (wiping skills, flushing skills, disposal skills). Continue to encourage her to try and use the potty--just as you would when introducing a new food. "I know you like pullups better, but i want to help you be a big girl and learn to use the potty, would you be willing to try it for a few minutes, then you can have your pull up. I know you can do it!" There is a great book by alona frankel called "once upon a potty" that is really helpful to read to kids. Potty training is a big watershed for kids. There can be a lot of fears connected with it. Maybe she doesn't like the feeling of the space under her, maybe she doesn't like the noise, who knows? As her mom, this is a time when you can help her learn how to cope with scary new skills by reinforcing your belief in her and showing her you trust her. That will serve you both so much better in the long run. It's always about love.

Iridescent - posted on 10/07/2010

Just simply gave the risks of both methods (leaving it or training now). While extreme, both bowel impaction requiring colostomy from toilet training and severe constipation, and leaving her be and allowing her to soil herself voluntarily in her pull up until she's 9 (or 20), are both risks. Google "voluntary encopresis" for more information if desired. The best route is to simply go somewhere in the middle, toilet train appropriately and be aware of symptoms of constipation to treat them.

Cat - posted on 10/07/2010

I've never ever heard of a 9yr old in diapers, with the exception of overnight for bladder issues... I would've saved myself many many headaches if I'd let my son train when he was ready instead of when I was ready...

Iridescent - posted on 10/07/2010

Exactly. That's the very last thing anyone wants for their child. Some, it can cause permanent damage and a colostomy bag. It's why being able to recognize and treat constipation while toilet training, and treat it appropriately and painlessly, is so very important. Nobody wants to have to hand their 9 year old a diaper to go poop in, either, due to habit...and it can/does happen. Yuck.

Emma - posted on 10/07/2010

i have twins and one was a bit more confident than the other, i encouraged but never forced them, they are3 and a half now and dont use nappies at all now, girls are quicker than boys but i was always told not to force as every child is different :)

Teresa - posted on 10/07/2010

Well, yeah, but if she holds it in and becomes constipated..... Sorry, I know a family that did that and it took TWO YEARS before their daughter was finally able to poop w/out pain, suppositories, etc... EVERY time.

Iridescent - posted on 10/07/2010

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pediatrics-14... - scientific reasons for what I posted. The only thing you are forcing is using the toilet, not a pull up. She physically needs to poop regardless, as it's part of survival.

Teresa - posted on 10/07/2010

Why would you force a child's bodily functions? It'll happen when she's ready. Forcing the issue could very well cause medical problems that will take a LONG time to correct...

Cat - posted on 10/07/2010

She wont be 20 not to worry... I always thought that about my son, he wouldnt do #2 on the potty, and I did what Amy said, cut out pullups except for at night... GUESS WHAT... he held his poop, then he'd poop IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT in his pull-up... It was crazy, he was THAT stubborn... Finally just after his 4th birthday, he started doing everything he needed to do in the toilet... and a few months after that he was totally dry at night too... I'm not a fan of forcing potty training, b/c unfortunately, some kids are just that stubborn... What I've found has worked fairly well for my twin girls (they're almost 3) is a treat for going #2... They have #1 down good, but #2 is still hit or miss so to speak, so whenever they DO manage to poop in the potty I make a big deal about it and give them a piece of candy or something... | think forcing a kid before they're ready is just unnecessary stress, believe me, trying with my son was a nightmare, I dont wish to repeat with my girls lol

Iridescent - posted on 10/07/2010

Force her. Make the pull ups completely disappear, and don't give them back. Since she's likely to hold it in and constipate herself as a result until she's used to it, you may also want to speak with the doctor about starting her on Miralax temporarily until she's used to it (we give our daughter 1/6 an adult dose, for constipation, not potty training purposes) as constipation commonly happens with refusal to poo on the potty.