So my mother told me a crazy story a few days ago. Apparently, My sister and I were potty trained before 1 year old.  I used to go to daycare at the age of one and came home without any accidents.

I guess I have been living int he States for such a long time that I honestly thought kids are not able to understand potty training until they are two years of age. I have girlfriends that have kids at 1.5, and two, and three that haven’t even thought of potty training. Hello, letting your little “stewie” running around with no pants until he shits himself – that’s not potty training.

So I bought myself a nice hot pink Baby Bjorn and placed it conveniently in our bathroom. For past two days we (twins) have been using it religiously: when we get up, after we eat and before and after naps.

This morning, both girls went number one within 5 minutes on the potty. Success or just a coincidence? We shall see!

Update while traveling

It is really hard to keep putting them on a potty especially when you spend most of your days outside site-seeing. But we are making progress. It has been 4 days since we had a No. 2 in a diaper. Strangely, we notice them getting ready for it and they became like clock work. Not sure if this is a doing of potty training, of spending more time together – but we became extremely attuned to each others language and needs.

Simple advise

I was told that some readers are demanding a more in depth look at potty training. Well, I haven’t read any books on the subject. I also haven’t searched any websites on the subject. I sat down with my mother and this evening with my grandmother. Their answer was simple: when they wake up, before sleep and after feeding place them on the potty and keep doing piss and ahhh ahh.

I did learn one new thing: apparently my grandmother used to use a reward system for a job well done. It could be a toy, or a cracker or anything else that motivates and makes them happy. Honestly, I haven’t tried that yet. So far, I had to employ a distraction tool so that they wouldn’t cry while seated on the “green”monster.

Your mindset is the key

Your decision to potty train at any age (earlier is better!) is the key to success. Make a simple decision:

1. Full time potty training, or

2. Part time potty training.

Any well wishing parent will want to do it all the way but most days it is impossible. Please consider if you will have the time to devote to this task. It will take most of your day: between feeding, cleaning, clothing, sleeping and bath duties, you will have very little time left. I am talking about handling twins.

It is not necessary to do it all out. Some days, I am a full potty training lieutenant. Some days, I am a guilty lazy bee, trying to proove it to myself that my children WILL not suffer life long consiquencies because they were not rushed to potty within first minute of wake up.

Your head

Please check it because it is most important that you keep it in tact. As a mother of multiples, I am constantly bombarded with guilt, stress and time factors on a minute by minute basis.

Don’t let anyone guilt you into potty training or not potty training. It’s your decision. Just like breastfeeding. Although, I will think of you as a lazy mother (as long as you are a stay at home mom) if you don’t start devoting time to this VERY important issue. And even if you have a full time job – don’t hide behind it. Just say – “I don’t want to do it cause I am lazy” and then we can all agree to talk bad about you and your kid to your face.

Yes, life is that horrible and so am I.