Competitive twin and potty training

So on Sunday, much against my preference, my 33mo twin girl decided she was ready to be done with diapers. I wanted to wait until summer came and we were in our new house. But she was ready, and she's doing great. No accidents today, taking herself every time.

Trouble is, her twin brother is CONVINCED he can do it too. He refuses to wear diapers anymore. He refuses to wear covered training pants. No, he wants REAL underwear. And his pants back on. And then he loads it every time.

I actually think he could get it if he would run around naked for a couple of days--he did well for several hours like that yesterday--but he won't do that anymore, either. It's turned chilly again and he has a runny nose. He's cold. He's promised me he'll go without pants on a warm day, but I don't see any of those in the forecast. (I also tried to suggest wearing his sister's dresses, but he wouldn't do that either. )

I don't know what to do--force him violently back into diapers? Force him to freeze? Keep cleaning up ten accidents a day? Move to Arizona?

 

I'd suggest going with it... the 3day potty training online ebook is $30 or so and well worth it. she talks about catching them in the act and rushing to the potty... it will get easier...

sorry for the attitude, that might put me over the edge... but I would think in a few days he'd have less accidents. just praise praise praise and maybe even give a high five or sticker when he's gone potty... though be warned I wouldn't dangle that as a prize for him to get after he does it... that will create a power struggle.

good luck.

 

Sounds like a great time to move to Arizona if you ask me.
If he is as determined as you say then I would follow Maybel's advice. Maybe turn the heat up a little if you want for a few days in order to keep him naked. Otherwise just get a big pile of sweatpants. In the morning start with the thinest pants that are the easiest for him to take off and as the day wears on and the laundry piles gets higher, move on to the thicker and more stiff pants.
I had one twin who trained himself, but 6 months later his twin is only beginning to show a bit of interest.

 

honestly I put my son in underwear and made HIM clean up his accidents - he'd pee on the floor, I'd get the paper towels and make him sop it up (I'd go behind him with the rug cleaner)...in 3 days he was pee trained...poop was a different story but pee happened in a few days!

 

If he shows interest I say go with it. He'll get the hang of it before too long, or get tired of trying and be willing to go back without a fight.

Just be careful that going back to diapers doesn't become a crutch or mental issue. I have 1 who PT'd himself (similiar to your DD) about 6 months ago literally overnight (1 accident ever from the morning he declared he was ready for underwear). His brother while he wants theoretically to be PTd now doesn't believe he can or has turned it into a power struggle. I *WISH* we had just dealt with the mess and went with it when he was interested if not overly successful.