Potty Training Setback in 22 Month Old. What to Do Now?

Ahhh, I remember that willfull age (it was a long time ago but is also coming up again for me soon) :)

Sounds like they are asserting their independence and it would be just a power struggle to try to continue. I concurr with the other posts...take a break and revisit the issue. I am sure it will be disapointing, as you were sooo close! Argh! Ah, well...that's one thing that we ultimately can't "make" out kids do. Frustrating.

How about this? When the time is right, have some special "potty books" that are especially for when they sit on the potty (my ex-husband is my inspiration here lol). I do the same when I change my dd's diaper to avoid the dreaded "horizontal twist dance" she does when she is bored and wanting to get up and play. She isn't alowed to play with them any other time, ONLY when she gets her diaper changed. That way they have intruige...your twins can pick out the "coolest" potty books (or a toy they can play sitting down)and then they may look forward to getting on that ol' potty so they can read/play with them.

Hope this helps! I think you are doing a great job, Mommy! :)

My personal opinion is if you have already been doing this for months,or at least several weeks,it is too early and they are simply not ready.I think 22 months is too early.My oldest was trained around 30 months,took about a month,my next child about 33 months,also took a month and my youngest was pretty much 3,but also took less than a month.I just can't see taking the time to train toddlers over a period of 6 months (or more).If it takes that much time,it is you being trained to do it,and trying to take control,rather than the child being ready and wanting the control.

My son was nearly potty trained at 19 months, but around 22-24 months (without the help of a tummy bug!)he made a connection that sitting on the potty meant a pause in play. So he refused to sit on the potty. I gave him the choice about what he wanted to wear - undies, diapers (cloth or disposable pull ups) He chose what he wanted and we all had to deal with the consequences (though for a while his choice was diapers). then one day he just said I don't want to wear diapers anymore (day or night) so he didn't and we have had few accidents. Two years old is a lot about children learning to assert their will and becoming aware of themselves as independent people, so they do say no to pretty much anything! However, I've found that giving choices when I can makes it a bit easier!

Okay I would suggest that you keep them in the training pants, but only during the day until their comfortable with them. If they show interest in following you or dad (for boys) to restroom when you go let them it makes a huge difference. My daughter would always follow me and my aunt when we went in, after a few weeks of that she started telling me that she had to go pee-pee. That's when I introduced her to the pot. Also encouragement is a big deal to kids. I did high fives and hugs along with a few big girls and now she sleeps accident free in her "big girl" panties. So whatever their into give them extra if they do a good job. It works trust me we were done training at 19 1/2 months!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Hi N.,

When I potty trained my son, what I did was rewarded him with stickers. Little kids love stickers, all kinds. We stayed home one weekend and that is all we did. I took him to the store and he picked out the stickers that he like. He knew that he would only get a sticker if he went potty in the toilet. One I decided it was time to do this training, I did not put a diaper back on him. My mom had 5 kids and she said that putting one on would only confuse him. If we went out, they do have the underwear with the plastic like lining. I used them. I won't lie, it was very hard and you have to be very intuned with your kid and having twins will be a lot worse, but if you want your kids potty trained, you need to set your mind to it and due it. You know your kids and know if it's time to do it or to try in a few months. Good luck!

Don't give up now! A lot of people will say that 22 months is too early to potty train, especially with boys, but I wouldn't take that as gospel. My son started potty training at 16 months and finished at 30 months (he was in daycare and I had little to no support from them). My daughter is 20 months and I'd say she's potty trained except for during the night. I'm sure that my view is not necessarily the popular one, but I think that it is our responsibility as parents to try to potty train ASAP because not only will it save the family money (fewer diapers), but it saves those diapers from going into the landfills or if you use cloth diapers, it saves tons of water.
So, I'd just give it another go. What worked for us was Once Upon a Potty. You can watch it on You Tube and enjoy the Potty Song on there as well. You can also pick up the book from the library. I let my daughter run around with no bottoms on until she got the hang of it, and then, put on pants and it was about 2 to 3 weeks before she realized that she needed to take them down to go to the potty. We also have a potty in the living room for ease and so that the kids can be read to more comfortably or watch a potty DVD while they sit. We always give High 5's and hugs and kisses when the kids get off the potty. My son required a potty chart with stickers and prizes, but he was a bit older and afraid to poop on the potty.
Consistency is the key. So, if you stop now, you might be setting yourself further back in the long run. UGH! I don't envy you. Best of luck with whichever path you choose.

Please don't let people tell you that you are potty training too early. I agree with the one mom, if we all did it earlier we would stop filling up the landfills so bad!! I would say to try again. As long as you are consistant you should get back to where they were fairly soon. I used to put a training potty in the room they were in, i think that trained them faster. I wish you luck!