Potty Training Triplets

A lot of things crossed my mind on that hot summer day three years ago when we found out we were having triplets, but potty training was not one of them. But, I wasn't a mom for long before I started hearing potty training horror stories especially from other moms of multiples!

We attempted to potty train Madison at 23 months by following Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day, but she wasn't ready physically. And she was too young to get and care about the sticker chart and to understand when she would and would not get a reward (she threw massive fits for rewards when she hadn't done anything to earn them). Here's a picture of Madison at her "Potty Party." Mission: FAILED!

Then at 25 months, Hayden saw her cousin, Addison- who is older by 8 months- use the potty. Hayden immediately took off her diaper and insisted on wearing panties. So, although hesitant, we went with it. She took the lead and is quite independent, so we tried to go at her pace rather than follow a specific method. Here's a photo of Payson reading to her as she used the potty. She was about 80% potty trained that first week. I did stick with it for four weeks, but each week she was 10-15% less successful, and by that last week she had fully regressed and she and I were both very unhappy with each other. She was over it and so was I. Mission: FAILED!

This time, we felt confident that the kids were ready. Not only were they insisting on taking off their diapers for changes, but they wanted to wipe and then velcro the diaper back on. They were also starting to wake up dry and keep their diaper dry for long periods of time. Then, there was the issue of Madison ripping her diaper off the second she pooped and the girls taking off their diapers during fits or while in timeout so they could intentionally pee all over the floor or crib. Niiiice! Hence the duct tape around Madison's diaper in the photo.

We had heard awesome things about the 3 Day Potty Training method so we decided that this would be our guide. We prepped the house by laying out a large tarp in the living room, pulling up the rug in the wood-floored playroom, stocking the bathroom with lots of flushable wipes, paper towels, Clorox wipes, panties, undies and soap. This picture shows the girls wearing their very last diapers.

So, that morning, after a hearty breakfast, we put them in new undies and told them what big kids they now were. We gave them each a trash bag, and we went around the house collecting and throwing away all of the diapers, wipes and even the diaper bag! (Yes, environmentally-friendly friends, we did just pretend to throw it all away!) We then had them help us carry the changing table out to the garage. They loved all of this! Then, we began to repeat the phrases that we would find ourselves saying constantly over the next few days and weeks, "You are such big kids! Be sure to tell us when you need to use the potty!" And, "Are you dry? YAY! I am SO proud of you! Remember to tell me when you need to go pee-pee or poo-poo!"

Now, I spend A LOT of time with my kids. But, I didn't realize how hard it is to keep them entertained and within arms reach of you ALL day long. Mine like to push their strollers all around the house, run from the kitchen to the playroom and back again to stock up on certain play food, hide in our bed and play chase in and out of our closets. But while training, you have to have them right there with you constantly. We had lots of activities and projects to keep them busy, engaged and by our sides, and we still ran out of ideas! Baking cookies was a sure-fire way to keep them close.

The first two hours were too good to be true, but then the accidents started flowin'. It was crucial that we spent our time on the tarp, wood floor or tile as much as possible! Hayden was accident-free until she realized that her siblings were getting to change undies when they got wet. So, she intentionally had three accidents in a row in a 20-minute period simply to get a new pair of panties. So, I took all of the panties, put them on the floor within her reach and told her that she can change as often as she wants and that she doesn't need to wet the ones she has on simply to change them. Thankfully, our little discussion ended that behavior.

Unless you've been through potty training before, you may not know that hand washing can be quite a pain. You've got one sink and six little hands that need to be washed (and sometimes 2-4 adult ones depending on the mess at hand)! You've got fighting over the step stool and sink, and then there's the issue of how much water and soap to use (ultimately there is no limit in the kids' minds - the more the better). And, of course, there's always a toilet paper usage issue along with where toys and dolls can and can't be sat or placed in the bathroom.

By the end of Day 1, Keith and I were exhausted. The kids were out-of-control regarding how much they used the bathroom simply to get a treat. Hayden would go potty...just a little...then go get a treat...then repeat, up to 20 times in a row to get M&Ms. We spent so much time running around and bending over that our bodies were aching all over. I was hoping to treat myself to a relaxing hour or two on the couch, but I instead spent my time shopping for small presents and more undies for the kids. That morning I intentionally chose to wear my Ninja Skills shirt because I knew my day would feel like I was up against three little Ninjas!

That next morning two of the three woke up dry! The kids were super excited to get their new character underwear, and we were all ready for what we hoped would be a successful day.

Our sweet Payson had the most accidents on Day 1, but he woke up dry on Day 2 and has rarely had an accident since. One child potty trained in one day... this is starting to sound really good, isn't it? Here we are playing games on PBS Kids.

We don't watch much TV around here but TV somehow works wonders for potty training. For some reason the kids never have an accident when watching TV. So, it's a good way to pass some time while having happy kids (and parents) and no accidents. We didn't use it too much, but we certainly used it strategically and when tension was high. For day 2 I appropriately sported my "YES! I Do Have My Hands Full" shirt.

The second day demanded even more creativity regarding ways to keep the kids entertained within our reach. Daddy brought in his most toddler-friendly tools for the kids to discover and play with. They loved it and really enjoyed measuring their arms, hands, feet, legs, etc.

We also kept busy with a variety of crafts such as gluing macaroni onto paper in shapes and letters, playing with Play-Doh, coloring and painting. The kids were loving the activities but were tiring of our constant reminders to "tell us when you need to use the potty." And, not surprisingly, we were tired of saying it!

The fort provided easy entertainment until Payson insisted on filling it with so many toys that there was no longer room for anyone, or anything, else.

I was hoping that Day 3 would seal the deal, but unfortunately it was actually the worst day for the girls. Hayden had an awful morning and Madison had an awful afternoon. It's hard to get a break with multiples. Keith spent the second half of the day hunched over with overwhelming back pain. I finally crashed on the couch close to 9:30 pm. I got a chuckle out of how the shirt that Grammy gave me was the perfect choice for Day 3: Super Mom - Super Wife - Super Tired.

I was SO thankful to have Keith's help for the first three days. He was really hands-on, as usual, and was so great with the kids that he was dearly missed starting with Day 4. This day was definitely the most difficult. At one point Madison threw such a huge fit, that she ended up stripping, peeing everywhere and then laying down to sleep in it. I felt awful but she wouldn't let me touch her, clean her or help soothe her so there was nothing I could do until she calmed down.

But the kids were thrilled to get their new nap mats for school and they were very excited to get to test them out while watching some TV. They are SO cute. Thanks Sarah!

We are now on Day 10 of the 3 Day Potty Training Method. So, clearly, other than with Payson, the method did not work as it "guaranteed" to do. But, we are certainly thrilled with the progress we have made:

- Payson fully potty trained in one day

- All three staying dry at night and for naps since Day 1

- Girls are pee-trained with 0-2 accidents a day each

- All three can go to potty by themselves, getting clothes down and back up followed by washing hands without help

But, no doubt, these 10 days have been some of the hardest of my life. It is physically and mentally exhausting. The most frustrating thing is the fact that the girls aren't getting the solid stuff where it needs to go. And, let me tell you, cleaning poop out of panties is NOT fun. Once or twice is to be expected but doing it for two girls for 10 days straight is not what I call potty training success. But, as mentioned above, they have made so much progress in other areas.

While I can't say the girls are potty trained yet, I also can't ignore everything they are getting right.

I hear from other moms that, for many kids, it just finally clicks. But, that it can take days, weeks or months for that to happen. So, I've bought myself a box of gloves as more proof that we are in this for the long haul. Misson: SUCCESS (x1), SUCCESS PENDING (x2)!