Where's the instruction manual?

The twins moved over to the Pre I room at their daycare on their 2nd birthday in October. The room that is also known as the “potty training” room.


I remember thinking to myself, “Are we really here already”?

The kids were quite apprehensive about the whole potty experience at first. Christopher approached it with his usual “I’m not afraid” attitude and then quickly came to the conclusion that it wasn’t exciting enough and he didn’t want to be bothered with it.

If it doesn’t involve footballs, markers or sharks, forget about it!

Kendall was much more intrigued but would sit with a death grip on the teacher. She slowly learned that it was OK and she now sits there like a big girl. And then suddenly, Christopher thought he was missing out on something and began to exclaim, “My turn!” when Kendall was on the potty.

I thought it was probably time that I joined in on the fun and the kids started sitting on the potty at home. Admittedly, I’m completely clueless with how the whole process works.

I mean, I know how to use the potty myself but how do you teach someone how to do it? What equipment do I need? How will I know when they need to go?

I knew I didn’t want to buy one of those potties that sits on the floor. To be honest, it grosses me out. Who wants to empty and clean that thing multiple times per day?

It’s so 1800’s.

I debated on buying a training seat for the big potty but decided against it. They don’t use anything at school and I thought it was probably better to keep things consistent.

Until about 2 weeks ago.

The kids started sitting on the potty at every diaper change. It was Kendall’s turn and she was happy as can be. Beaming with pride as she sat on that potty.

Christopher walked in and started climbing on me. I grabbed him so he wouldn’t knock her down and as I did that, I lost my grip on Kendall.

S-P-L-A-S-H!

Oh, yes. My baby fell in the toilet. Ass first.

She looked at me with this look of horror. And then she started crying. I tried not to overreact because I didn’t want her to be scared. The whole time I’m thinking, “Crap. I just set back the whole process by months”.

I didn’t push the potty the rest of the day. At the bedtime diaper change, she approached me and asked if she could sit on the potty.

Ah. No permanent damage done. The next day, I went out and bought a Sesame Street training seat.

And, that’s as far as we’ve gotten. We do A LOT of sitting with no action to date.

So, here’s my question for those experienced potty trainers: What’s the next step? Do we just keep doing what we’re doing? Or, should I start setting a timer for every 30 minutes and asking if they need to go?

To be honest, I’m not sure I’m ready. The thought of training 2 at the same time freaks the hell outta me.

Can’t they stay in diapers forever? If I play my cards right, they’ll be in Depends Undergarments before they hit the 1st grade.