Toilet Training Twins Archives

Toilet Training Twins is Impossible {And Dettol Giveaway}

September 18, 2014 By: mamagrace7127 Comments

This is a sponsored post.

Despite what the books and the parenting seminars tell you, there is no method to the madness of toilet training twins.

Smug parents (you know the ones) who would gloat about how their not even three yet toddler transitioned to nappy free in a few short days just made me more frustrated about our situation. Then, I wanted to punch them in the face.

“Just because there’s two of them, your situation shouldn’t be any harder, right?”

Another imaginary punch. This time in the throat.

There is no such thing as toilet training twins. Why? Because you toilet train individuals.

What works for one, does not work for the other.

We were keen to try out all the tips that books tell you about encouraging the process.

We jived our way through the “Look who did a poo-poo in the potty!!!” dance, slapped high five slaps all around and offered rewards when those colourful stickers filled the charts.

Yet, amongst all the commotion and excitement around the toilet bowl, there was one twin who would sadly be left in dismay and confusion.

Being toilet trained is a huge milestone, as every parent knows. It is a time to celebrate another step of independence for a little person. Most importantly, it’s an extremely personal milestone.

The logistics of where to put the potty and methods of encouragement may not differ from training each child but the emotional dynamics can vary significantly. The danger of comparison is never far away.

Toilet Training Twins is Impossible

When we worked out that what the books told us wasn’t working, we took a step back and took a little break for our boy.

While one was now happily going to the toilet without any problem, we kept our excitement at a minimum and he didn’t seem to mind that one bit.

As the weeks past, we really had to make a conscious effort to stop worrying and more importantly comparing our toilet adverse twin.

Instead, we focused on reassuring him that there was no hurry. Whenever he was ready, we would be too.

Of course, the moment that mindset kicks in, everything falls into place and within days, our little boy joined his twin brother.

Dettol is a well-known and trusted brand in Australian homes and undoubtedly an integral part for many a toilet training triumph…as well as disaster.

Now that the days of training are far behind us but with two constant grubby boys, hand hygiene is a big affair in our house. Using Dettol’s Revitalise Antibacterial Hand Wash with Raspberry and Pomegranate keeps the germs at bay but also leaves behind a refreshing fragrant on your hands. It’s one thing to maintain a high level of cleanliness – it’s another to smell like a hospital.

We’re also very lucky that our daycare also enforces the importance of using hand sanitiser after doing their little business.

The journey of toilet training is just as big of a learning curve for parents as what it is for the child. In the race to try and get them nappy free and independent, it’s important to stop. Take things slow and focus on their self-confidence and emotional awareness.

For one lucky reader, I have some great Dettol products to giveaway!

Dettol Revitalise Antibacterial Hand Wash with Raspberry and Pomegranate
Dettol Power and Pure Triggers
Dettol Power and Pure Wipes

All you have to do is:

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Of Poo and Parking Tickets

April 30, 2013 By: mamagrace7131 Comments

It’s a safe bet to say that those who say that raising twins is just the same as raising 2 children “close” in age don’t have twins of their own.

Take for example, toilet training.

Having the twinlets as very different individuals and personalities, the “High Five”, squeeze-a-brown-shark-out-get-a-toy technics have only worked for one.

The other insists that doing his business is no one’s business.

And that’s fine. We’re happy to go along with Nunu and when he’s good and ready to make the transition from Lightening McQueen Pull ups to Thomas the Tank undies, we’ll readily be there.

I took the boys to their favourite park the other week.

All was going smoothly when K-Bear insisted he needed to go to the toilet. Having just been to do a discreet wee outside the park fence 5 minutes earlier, I knew he was talking about dropping the brown bomb.

Logistics can be a real bitch at times like these. Trying to drag the other twin to come along was not only tough, but time crucial.

Crossing his legs, K-Bear desperately cried, “Mama…poo, poo!”

Finally, I was able to convince Nunu to get down from the equipment to follow his brother, albeit begrudgingly. I don’t blame him. Would you give up the slide to watch your brother take a crap?

I took the boys back to the quiet corner just outside the park. Legs spread wide in a perfect yoga triangle pose, K-Bear started to do his business.

Realizing that I somehow needed to clear up the mess, I pulled out the baby wipes and made a little nest where the poo could land.

Despite the few flies we attracted, all was going as well as could be expected.

Then, I noticed that up the road – 10 cars away from mine – a parking ranger was doing the rounds. I suddenly panicked realizing that I hadn’t put in any money in the meter. If I didn’t take drastic action, I was going to be slapped with an $88 parking ticket.

“Finished, sweetie???” I failed at trying to sound calm.

“No, Mama…”

More flies started gathering.

“Shoo fly!” K-Bear said, slightly distracted.

“Sweetie, are you finished, NOW???”

My boys are only 3 but they’re not stupid. They knew their mum was frantic.

While his brother plopped away, Noah was still playing near by but was starting to get agitated and impatient.

With my eyes darting back and forth, surveying my son’s poo situation and seeing that the dreaded parking man was only 10 metres away from my car, I knew I was done for.

“Okay, Mama. Finished!”

Quickly I scrambled up the bark and the soiled wipes, trying to wrap it into a neat parcel. Then, wiping my boy’s bum in Olympic record time, I swung our massive back pack around my shoulders, bolted to the bin to then head for the parking meter.

Not even thinking about my boys, they started running behind me.

I looked like Dora the Explorer with her own little troop of Boots and Diego, running behind her.

Vamanos!!!

“Mama, wait for me! Wait for me!” the boys cried out.

For any innocent by passer, I surely would’ve looked like a fugitive, crazy mum, escaping double trouble.

Still ignoring the twinlets’ cries to slow down, I made it to the parking meter just as the nasty parking ranger booked the car in front of me.

Crisis averted.

But damn it. I wasn’t so lucky the following week…

Gah!

Joining Essentially Jess for IBOT

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When Mr Surfer almost abandoned me with 2 un-toilet trained toddlers

May 22, 2012 By: mamagrace7159 Comments

Being married to Mr Surfer means that there’s an instant understanding of what each of our strengths are and how they are aligned to our individual roles in twinlet wrangling.

He’s good at calming them at night. I can deal with the early morning wake-up screams, uh, I mean calls. He’s the even keel that can strap them into their car seats despite the yelling and kicking. I was the one who taught them how to say “Thank you…”

It’s high five’s all around for huge team work effort.

However, coming up is yet our biggest challenge: the monumental task of toilet-training the twinlets. Since the boys turned 2 in January, we have been delaying the whole process. It’s taken us this long to manage double nappy changes. I don’t deny that the transition of scattered poo and hit-miss pee is imminent. I just don’t want to deal with it right now.

The other day, though, I RSVP’ed to a “How to Toilet Train Multiples” information night at the local community centre. When the evening came, Mr Surfer actually volunteered to go in my place.

“Have the night off. Stay home and relax while the boys are asleep…”

And off he innocently trundled to make the 7:30 meet up.

In the meantime, I ran a bath, turned off the lights, lit a candle and soaked my weary body in bubbles.

By 7:47pm, I was fully relaxed. I was just about to look forward to a night of being solo, when my phone beeped with a text message from Mr Surfer…

In response, I sent him this photo…

An hour later he sent this massive brain dump…

Obviously he was paying full attention and taking lots of notes (He’s can be a little geeky like that…)

But another hour rolled by and there was no news. I started to think that he was passing on the information as an ulterior motive.

By the time it reached 10:30, I was adamant that all that talking about teaching your toddler to aim correctly in the toilet (something men are still trying to master) and late night poo-splosions were too much for him. I started to place bets that he had actually done a runner.

Interestingly enough, I wasn’t so much worried that he had possibly left me. I was terrified over the fact that he was doing it while the boys weren’t toilet-trained yet.

Yeah, I know…how DARE he ???!!!

His last words to me can’t be, “Undies under the pull-ups…”

Luckily, before the crazy woman random thoughts became uncontrollable, guess who walked through the door, albeit looking frazzled and a little doe-y eyed with information overload.

Are we any closer to dealing with the massive task at hand?

With all the invaluable tips and know-how’s that he’s now equipped with, Mr Surfer thinks the twinlets are ready. Sounds good to me.

Maybe I should just leave him to it and run away to a far distant tropical island. What do you say ?

Linking up with Jess at Diary of a SAHM for IBOT.

And linking this baby up to Dr Bron’s Pick a Post…

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