Potty Training Readiness?

N.,

I've seen several different checklists for readiness. Here is the one from BabyCenter.com:

Physical signs
- Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.
- Urinates a fair amount at one time.
- Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
- Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

Behavioral signs
- Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
- Can pull his pants up and down.
- Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
- Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear.
- Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
- Demonstrates a desire for independence.
- Takes pride in his accomplishments.
- Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.
- Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.

Cognitive signs
- Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
- Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
- Has words for urine and stool.
- Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.

My twins are 2 1/2 too ... and I couldn't tell you if they do all of these things (How am I supposed to know if they urinates a fair amount at one time with diapers on???). But, my gut feeling is they can do it with encouragement. They don't go on the toilet at all now. But they LOVE to pee in the bath tub (every time...), so I know they have some control over it.

Another mom off this site sent me a great little document on how to potty train with the '3-day' (straight to underwear) method. Send me an personnal message with your e-mail address, and I'll send it over to you. I'm planning on doing it myself within the next few months. My friend with triplets tried it when her kids where about 2 1/2, and said it worked great.

I would recommend "Toilet Training In Less Than A Day" by Nthan H. Azrin, Ph.D. and Richard M. Foxx, Ph.D. Their method of training is quick and complete (mom is not needing to remind the child or chase after them to get them to use the potty. They say most kids are ready at 20 months, though obviously some are more interested then others, and they have a few tests you can give your child to be sure they're ready before you start so you're successful.

We're currently teaching our 22 month old to pull her pants up and down on her own and then we'll start the process. I wouldn't have started researching this at her age if she wasn't SO INTERESTED in it. But was surprised to know that she's not too young to start.

My mom used this method with all 3 of us, and my friend has trained 4 boys with this method successfully. She said it worked for all of them and they have very different personalities.

And to answer your final question, Yes! This method you get rid of diapers immediately and do an intensive training and don't go back.

Best wishes (I got my copy for $0.53 on Amazon)

I think you are almost ready. My b/g twins are 3, and my son was almost overnight easy. BUT- I waited and let him give the cues. My daughter is just past the stage you are describing, and tells me about half of the time. I put up a chart and they got a sticker for each time they went - the prize being a trip to the dollar store for a small toy when they completed a chart. they also got a small M&M after "going".

Those might help entice your kids, but if they arent taking to it - its just an uphill battle until they are. They need to be able to feel the urge coming in order to tell you, and that comes at different times.
that said, a little coaxing never hurt.

you might also try a potty video.

good luck!!

I think they are probably ready, you just need to push the point more and be consistent. I had both my boys trained by 2 years during the day. I would put them on at set times during the day, such as when they get up, after every meal, before a nap, and always before going out. I used pull ups with my oldest and it took longer, but with my youngest I used underwear around the house and only used pull ups if I knew I was going to be out of the house for more than an hour. You'll pick up on their signals that they need to go if you watch out for them and then you can put them on when you think they need it. When they go pee (or poop) on the potty make a huge fuss of them, we used to clap and cheer and even had a potty song. They soon wanted to tell me when they needed to go, that will come quite quickly, within a few weeks. My youngest son was trained within a week, actually asking to go. It's not always easy but worth the effort, good luck :)

They may be, or they may be just on the edge of being ready. Pushing them can actually push them backwards, though. I'd suggest you keep doing what you're doing, making sure you spotlight when YOU have to go, do some modeling for them, and if they haven't trained by spring, do a bigger push then.

Both of my daughters started potty training at 2 1/2 and were fully trained by 3. We would go through periods where they were ready, and then periods where they didn't seem to have much interest. We just kept with it and eventually they got the hang of it. We used the padded underwear with vinyl panties over them during the periods where they were "hot" on the training. We kept a pack of diapers handy for the times where they got "cold" on the training. I do know that we have friends who had sons the same age as my oldest daughter and their sons weren't trained until much later (I think they were both closer to 4), so it seems that each child can be different. You may have one twin potty trained before the other. It sounds like your daughter may be ready, but your younger son may not be. Start with your daughter and see if her brother follows the lead.

are they talking well? do their diapers stya dry for at least 2 hours.?

do they tell you wehn they need to be changed?

You daughter is probably ready. put her in panties and tell her to pee on the potty. If she has an accident and gets her "elmo or dora" panites wet.. I bet she will get it and start using teh potty.. But take her to the potty every hour until she gets it..
I would get the girl trained a bit before starting your son.

Girls train easier..