We Have the Potties…
In all honesty, I never expected to begin potty training before Tiny and Buba turned 2. I’m not sure why, but I guess I assumed that potty training happened sometime after 2 and before turning 3. But I’ve heard more than once, and from more than one person, that Tiny seems to be ready to begin the process. And strangely enough, I feel like I’m in a place where I’m ready to give it a go. We’ve got the potties and training pants are on the way. But other than having the supplies, I’m really not sure how this is supposed to go.
So, I guess I’m looking for advice regarding the whole potty training experience. In particular, I’m just not sure how to introduce the potty and teach Tiny (and perhaps Buba too, although he doesn’t appear as ready as she does) what its purpose is. How will I get her to understand that that is where I want her to do her business instead of in the diaper? And how do I get her to have successful experiences on the potty?
And then there are the worries to address. For example, I’ve heard once you stop diapers, you should never go back, but what about naps and nighttime? Tiny is not even close to the smallest pull-up size, so won’t we have to continue to use diapers for naps and nighttime?
I suppose there are parenting books out there that address this process, and perhaps that is where I should begin. But in the meantime, if you’ve done it and you have a book recommendation and/or advice to pass along, I’ll gladly take it.
I have something (somewhere) called Potty train in 3 days or something like that. I heard it really works. It sounds like a lot, A LOT, of work…basically no diapers, and when they start to pee or (eww gross) poop all over, you run them to the bathroom. Seems like a lot of clean up, but Ive had 2 friends say it really does work. If you want me to dig it up, email me and I for sure will send it your way. Good luck! 
Try using a doll that pee for illustration purposes. Praise doll and see if kid does the same.
My advice – keep them in diapers for naps and nighttime sleep until they wake up dry. Only then first try naps and then night time without. Major mission is awake time potty trained.
About reading (saw you at Nancy)- I did 39 books last year with 3 kids and a full time job. It is about making time, even if you loose sleep.
There is SO much information, and so many conflicting opinions, out there on this subject. I think you’re right to try to get your potty training plan/philosophy worked out before you embark on the journey.
(Here’s everything I’ve already written about our potty training journey: http://rodrigueztwins.blogspot.com/search/label/potty%20training)
To summarize, I explained to Mel and Jess what the potties were for. I let them into the bathroom to see what I did. We got them panties with characters they care about (Tinkerbell, Dora, Elmo) and told them that they could wear panties until they had an accident. When we were home, the first accident of the day meant a return to diapers. I sat them on the potties every half hour and made a huge to-do about just sitting, and an even huger one about any actual potty activity. I worked on this for 19 months, on and off, only keeping the potty stuff up as long as they were positive and excited about it. Some days only Melody was interested, and Jessica was off the hook. We read potty training books (Everyone Poops and an Elmo potty book.)
That being said, none of that worked. I tried for NINETEEN infuriating, thankful-for-tile-flooring, doing-way-too-much-laundry, months.
After I abandoned all potty hope, Melody decided one day that she wanted to sleep in panties. Jessica copied her the next day, and that was the end of diapers. I’d say we’re down to one accident a month, usually standing right in front of the toilet with pants around the ankles.
I like the Mayo Clinic’s suggestions: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/potty-training/CC00060
[...] two weeks ago, I mentioned that I might be ready to start potty training with Tiny. She was showing some of the readiness signs- telling me when she needed a diaper change, pulling [...]
Let me know about any advice you get. I’m trying to get Michael used to the potty. Right now he is not happy to get on it at all. I’ve put the twins on hoping that he’d go on easier. They went on fine and Thomas even peed a little, but Michael still didn’t want to even sit.