Potty Training Twin Boys: Let’s be honest – Potty training puts the fear in all of us, let alone with twin boys! There are so many different opinions, strategies and methods out there, it can be hard to decide where to start – and when. As parents of twin boys ourselves, we’ve been through this journey and are here to share with you the best 21 tips for the simplest way to successfully potty training twin boys.
- How To Potty Train Twin Boys
- Should I Potty Train Twins At The Same Time?
- Why Trust My Toddler Life?
Table of Contents
How Is Potty Training Twins Different To Potty Training One Child?
The most noticeable distinction is the amount of wriggly bodies you’re working with at any given time. Because you may be training two toddlers at the same time if you have twins, you’ll need two potties, preferably identical so they don’t fight over who gets to use which one.
Allow your twins to personalise them with stickers or markers so that everyone knows who owns what and your kids are more excited to use them.
What To Do If One Twin Gets Potty Trained Before The Other
When it comes to the potty, each child has their own personality, which should be respected. However, the twin who receives it first can have a favourable impact on the other. You can also assist the process by: When one sibling needs to pee, take her twin to the bathroom and encourage him to do so as well.
When potty training twins, some parents set a timer for every 20 minutes or so, at which point both children are placed on the potties. This way, you’re not wasting your time rushing one twin to the bathroom and then the other.
You Could Consider Potty Training One Twin At A Time
Obviously, this will depend on your individual children, but potty training twins does not have to be done at the same time. It depends on whether you want to wait till they’re ready and then almost demand pants, or whether you want to go for it all at once and believe they’ll deal with it all at once. There is no correct or incorrect response.
I can’t imagine anything being more inconvenient than having to do both at the same time! I suppose you could start a competition, but what happens if one twin outperforms the other? It was easier for us to do them separately. Despite being twins, they are distinct individuals.
Invest In Two Potty Seats
Because some items aren’t shared by multiples, it could be in everyone’s best interest to purchase at least two potty seats.
Even though they are practising at various times, if you try to get by with just one, there will almost certainly be a showdown when they both want to go at the same time.
Consider purchasing freestanding potty seats rather than inserts that slot into the toilet to avoid squabbles. You might want to consider purchasing extra sets to keep throughout the house, such as in the playroom for easy access.
What About If They’re Both Girls, Both Boys, Or Two Different Sexes?
While boys take somewhat longer to potty train than girls, personality is a better predictor of potty readiness than anything else. That is to say, just because you have a boy and a girl doesn’t mean you can’t train them both at the same time.
If you have two boys, you may need to ask your husband’s assistance in demonstrating, particularly when it comes to moving from sitting to peeing to standing. To teach how to hike up their clothes and go potty, twin girls (and boys!) may benefit from utilising dolls. Also, keep in mind that potty training for boys and girls differs in some ways.
Getting Ready To Potty Train Twin Boys
Wait Until They Are Ready
This is the one piece of advice we would provide to anyone potty training twins or singletons. WAIT FOR THEM TO BE READY. Yes, we know, Karen from the baby group toilet trained her baby at the age of 12 months. And now that your twins are 2.5, you’re under a lot of pressure to accomplish what you think you SHOULD be doing.
We’d like to say three things to you. YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, You and your children will potty train when each individual is ready. One thing we’ve learned from doing this with our boys is that starting too early is a waste of time.
Signs Of Readiness
Is it time to start toilet training your twins? Toilet training can begin as early as 18 months and continue until the child is three years old.
You’ll face more resistance and frustration if your twins aren’t developmentally ready to train. Examine your twins separately to identify the best time for them.
Showing curiosity when others use the toilet, being able to go for long periods of time without wetting a diaper, hiding in a private area when they need to go, being uncomfortable with a soiled diaper, and requesting to wear “big child” underpants are all signs of readiness.
But keep in mind that your twins are unique individuals. It’s possible that they won’t be ready at the same time.
Consider The Calendar
Consider your timing carefully. Take a hard look at the calendar once you’ve determined that your twins are ready.
Avoid using a deadline to start the toilet training process, even if it’s appealing. You may meet resistance if you are under pressure to train before the start of preschool or a family vacation, for example.
Expect more significant changes in your twins’ life. Are you preparing to relocate, modify your routine, or welcome a new sibling? For a youngster who is simultaneously learning to use the bathroom, all of these developments might be daunting.
Prepare Your Twins For What’s To Come
You might try to make the toilet training process easier by prepping your twins for what’s to come before you start. This can be accomplished by reading potty training books to your children and taking them shopping for new underwear.
Expect Double The Mess
So that you’re ready to deal with the mess, stock up on cleaning goods. Protect the sections of your home that cause you concern if you’re worried about permanent stains or damage.
To keep potty-training twins out of rooms that are off-limits, use gates. Throw rugs and bedspreads that cost a lot of money should be put away. Tarps should be used to protect furniture and floors. Decide whether you want to use overnight training pants like Pull-Ups instead of underwear until your kids are regularly dry when they wake up.
Don’t get too worked up about mishaps. Simply solicit your child’s assistance in tidying up afterwards, and then move on. Remember to be patient and keep a sense of humour.
There’s An App For That!
Okay, I realise this seems completely silly, but there is an NHS app called Poo Goes Home To Pooland that a friend told me about when her little kid refused to go to the bathroom.
So I downloaded it for Twin One first, and then for Twin Two as well. It’s basically a story about a little boy who is afraid of going to the bathroom, and it helps to develop comprehension of toileting issues and relieve anxiety by externalising the problem. That is, after all, the official narrative.
The unofficial line is that it’s a cartoon about a talking shit who wishes to join his mummy and daddy in Pooland by being flushed down the toilet.
Potty Training Twin Boys: How To Start
Stay At Home For A Few Days
We did this with all three of our kids, and it helped to relieve some of the stress.
It also meant I wasn’t always worried that they’d wet themselves at an inconvenient time while we were out, or that you were continuously seeking for toilets or places for them to urinate outside while we were out. Mastering an outside wee is a completely other skill set, so there was no reason to throw it to the mix on the first day. Why add to the stress of what is already a stressful situation?
Be Flexible
Even if they’re twins, a “one-size-fits-all” strategy isn’t always the best option. The 3-day strategy works for some parents and children, while others need to give it as much time as it takes. 5 Be adaptable.
Individualize your replies to your children. Some youngsters respond well to lavish praise, while others prefer a low-key approach. Some people require constant reminders, while others require complete control over the process. Some people are outspoken about their physiological processes, while others prefer to keep their private lives private.
You are the expert on your children and can select the most successful technique. While you may be able to establish a good routine at home during the day, you may need to employ different strategies at other times, such as when you’re out of the house.
What will you do about naps, overnights, outings, and daycare? Remember to include additional cleaning materials and puppy pads to preserve your car seats, as well as the potty. Take accidents in stride if they occur. Be prepared for other obstacles, like as constipation, to thwart your potty-training attempts. The key to success is flexibility.
You Could Get Those Boys Nudey Rudey
There’s a lot of washing when two kids wet their pants all day. Allow yourself a break and allow your potty-training twins go bare on occasion, but be prepared for unexpected puddles (and avoid prolonged playtimes on carpeted areas).
Or, Let Them Choose Their Own Underpants
It’s crucial to emphasise the importance of wearing undies, so let them choose their own and they’ll probably become enthusiastic as well. Twin Two was the last to do it, and perhaps the most hesitant of the three.
He was prepared in the sense that he would notify me when he needed to go to the bathroom, and at the age of 3.5, there was some pressure to have it done before starting school. But he was also rather attached to his diapers! He told me he wanted green pants, so we put a pack of green pants in his stocking from Father Christmas and made a big deal out of it because we started it right after Christmas.
Recruit Some Help
To assist prevent accidents, hire a babysitter or enlist the support of your mother, a friend, or your partner. (It’s easy to ignore the other kid getting ready to soil the sofa while assisting one sit on the potty.)
“Do You Need The Potty, Darling?”
This may seem self-evident, but it was a habit I developed while potty training twins. They’d grow upset with me for constantly asking, so I’d advise they try at regular intervals as I took them to the bathroom. When I initially started, a friend gave me a helpful tip: if they’re trying and nothing comes out, turn on the bathroom tap. Almost every time my boys heard the water, they had to go to the bathroom!
What About Potty Training Rewards?
Incentives and prizes have shown to be very effective for many parents.
When it comes to twins, this can either work in your favour or cause havoc. You’re the one who knows your twins best, so you’ll have to assess their dynamics. You only want to give a prise if the other twin succeeds, but how will the other twin respond if they don’t?
You’ll just stir pointless tantrums if certain twins lack the cognitive ability to correlate cause and effect. If your twins are competitive, though, presenting a prise for successful potty-ing could be very motivating.
Find out what currency each of your twins uses. What is it that works? Is it sweets, toys, or other tiny tokens? Perhaps a reward in the form of an excursion or activity would be more suited.
But, Avoid Sticker Charts With Twins
The charts will illustrate a clear contrast between your pint-sized pair. While one or two stickers are a fantastic incentive (hopefully, both kids will get their fair share), putting them on a chart can serve as a constant visual reminder to one twin that she is “behind” the other.
Who Says You Can’t Skip The Potty And Go Straight For The Toilet!
This is a personal decision that will, of course, be influenced by what your youngster thinks. With my firstborn singleton, however, I despised the potty. Especially since he’d pooped in it and I’d had to clean it up. Grim! Fortunately, he only used it for approximately a week before deciding to use a toddler seat on the toilet.
I was all for it, so when it came to either twin, I did it right immediately. Twin Two despised the potty and had never used it, so was content to sit on the toilet, whereas Twin One took it a step further and, by imitating his older brother, was standing up and peeing for England like an adult within the first hour.
Potty Training Twin Boys: Resources
Potty Training Twin Boys: FAQs
How long does it take to potty train twin boys? Potty training success is largely determined by developmental and behavioural milestones, rather than age, whether you have multiples or not. “Many youngsters show signs of being ready for toilet training between the ages of 18 and 24 months,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
Are twins harder to potty train? Certainly, it is easiest to train both twins at the same time. However, it may not work for all families. If you do potty train both at the same time, your twins may benefit from companionship and competition, encouraging and challenging each other’s successes and setbacks.
What is the average age of potty training a boy? Potty training success hinges on physical, developmental and behavioral milestones, not age. Many children show signs of being ready for potty training between ages 18 and 24 months. However, others might not be ready until they’re 3 years old.
How do I know if my twin is NOT ready to potty train? Your child is not ready to potty train if they are resistant or afraid of the toilet, have a bowel movement or urinate right after you’ve had them sit on the potty, or wet their diaper in less than two hour intervals.
When is the best time to start potty training twin boys? A: The best time to start potty training is typically between 18 to 24 months. However, keep in mind that each child is different, and readiness cues may vary. Look for signs of readiness such as showing interest in the bathroom, staying dry for longer periods, and expressing discomfort with soiled diapers.
Should I train both boys simultaneously, or is it better to train them one at a time? A: Training both boys simultaneously can be beneficial as they can learn from each other and be motivated by each other’s potty training progress. However, it can also be more challenging for parents to handle both at once. If you feel overwhelmed, you can consider training one child first and then starting with the other.
How should I prepare for potty training? A: Preparation is essential for a successful potty training experience. Here are some steps you can take:
Get the right equipment: Buy potties or potty seats that are comfortable and child-friendly.
Let them observe: Sometimes, children learn by watching others. Allow them to observe an older sibling or even you using the toilet.
Pick the right time: Choose a time when you can dedicate your attention to the process, avoiding stressful or busy periods.
Stock up on supplies: Have plenty of training pants, underwear, wipes, and spare clothes on hand.
How do I encourage them to use the potty? A: Encouragement and positive reinforcement are key. Praise and reward them when they use the potty successfully. You can use small rewards like stickers or a favorite snack. Be patient and avoid punishment for accidents.
What if one child seems ready, but the other doesn’t? A: It’s not uncommon for twins to show readiness at different times. In such cases, it’s better to start with the child who shows signs of readiness and is enthusiastic about using the potty. The other child may follow suit once they see their sibling’s progress.
What can I do if they show resistance or fear of the potty? A: It’s normal for children to be hesitant or fearful of the potty initially. To help ease their fears, make the experience fun and stress-free. Let them decorate their potty or choose special underwear. Read books or watch videos about potty training together. Never force them to use the potty or shame them for accidents.
How do I handle potty training outside of the home? A: Potty training outside the home can be more challenging. Always carry a portable potty or extra training pants with you. Before leaving home, encourage them to use the potty. Be patient and understanding if accidents happen in public.
What if one child regresses while the other is progressing? A: Regression is common during potty training, especially when significant changes occur in a child’s life (e.g., starting daycare or a new sibling). Be supportive and understanding during this time. Encourage the child to use the potty without pressuring them.
How long does potty training typically take? A: The duration of potty training varies for each child. Some may take a few weeks to master it, while others may take several months. Stay consistent, be patient, and remember that accidents are part of the potty training process.
Why trust My Toddler Life?
My Toddler Life is run by mama’s, for mama’s. All information provided on our site is thoroughly researched and takes in to consideration our lived experiences and the opinions of industry professionals. How are we different from other sites doing the same thing? We have fun while doing it (often with a glass of wine in hand) and don’t take ourselves too seriously!
Potty Training Twin Boys: To wrap it all up…
Hopefully the above information gives you a great starting place, if not to help guide you the whole way through the joy that is potty training twins (and boys at that!).
Remember – there is no hard or fast rule that says when to start and what you will or won’t need – and you know your child best!! So take your time, take a deep breath, have a glass of wine and be patient ! GOOD LUCK!!
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