Figuring out how to potty train twins is a major step, especially for first-time parents. If done wrong, you can extend your misery for longer. Meanwhile, you can pin it down with a bit of patience, potty ladders, and a load of encouraging words.

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Besides having double the number of kids to train, training twins can also be harder because of comparison and regression. Here are a few tips and tricks that can make your life easier as you transition from diapers to the big-boy potty:

On average, toddlers are ready for potty training at around two years. Of course, some kids will pick it up faster and start being aware of wet diapers and the urge to go much earlier. Don’t start the training when the house is hectic, like before a move. You also don’t want a lot of important events in a short period.

Keep an eye out for these signs that tell you that your twins are ready to use the potty:

They get cranky when their diapers are dirty

They have the muscle coordination to pull down their pants

They’re willing to communicate to you about their needs

They're curious enough about adult toilet behavior

Clueless kids are harder to control. Try letting them know what a potty is a few days before the training starts. You also want to associate it with growing up to get them hyped up about it. Covering your basics and getting them on board will pave the way more than you can imagine.

Besides knowing about the potty in advance, you need to gradually increase their awareness about diapers. A month or so before the potty training, ask them often if they need a diaper change. Over time, this will encourage them to speak up when they need to go.

Unless each kid will pick out his own potty, you want the sets to look identical. Otherwise, the twins might waste their breath crying over wanting to use a specific one. Even then, you know how kids will still argue about minor differences like stickers. If you want to tell the sets apart, use a marker on a not-so-obvious spot.

As long as you have someone to help you around the house, bringing both twins to the potty at the same time is the most efficient way. Even if one sibling doesn’t need to go now, the sight of the other twin going might enforce the behavior. However, let the slow learner feel that he’s not as good.

When you first start the training, you’ll probably still need to use a diaper during the night and for important occasions. This takes a bit of patience because many kids will nail the potty use when they’re awake but continue wetting their bed till they’re five or so.

We get that potty training a child can be frustrating enough without adding double the work with a twin. Remember: Double the kids, double the mess. Messy accidents will only add to your frustration, so try your best to make the cleaning job easier. Limit their playing time on carpets whenever you want to let them go without diapers.

Instead of giving instructions and making your twins feel like it’s something they have to do, you can try to insert a fun game into the mix. Use a doll to illustrate how they can undress and sit on the potty. This will be particularly useful if you have both sexes and want to transition the boy to peeing while standing.

Whenever one of the kids manages to use the potty correctly, you need to put on an exaggerated show of celebration. Let them know that it’s an achievement and you’re proud. This way, you can create a predictable and positive environment that helps your twins learn.

Some parents think that head-to-head competition and reward systems might encourage the twins to learn, but it can also lead to regression. It’s better to use motivational speech and involve both twins in the celebration routine. Most importantly, never let anyone shame your kids because they still didn’t get the hang of it.

If you feel like a month or so has gone by and you twins absolutely show no sign of interest in the potty, it might be time to take a step back. Pause the training and resume later when you feel that they’re ready. Otherwise, the twins might resist the potty in the long term.

Once your twins seem to get used to the potty, it might be a good time to talk about boundaries when it comes to their bodies. Teach them that it’s okay to say “no” when they’re uncomfortable going in front of strangers. Only a handful of adults should be involved in the training.

How to Potty Train Twins Together

Now, you might be wondering what you should do if one sibling is ready to use the potty before the other. This is a very possible scenario since each kid has their own personality and learning pace. In that case, you can go ahead and start training but keep the other twin in the loop. If you’re not careful about your rewarding mechanism, you might be unintentionally discouraging one twin. Other times, one kid will follow his sibling’s lead. Until the “leader” starts responding to the training plan, both twins won’t be trained at all. Instead, you want to maintain a casual approach that will turn the fast learner into a positive influence on their sibling. Eventually, curiosity will be the thing that pulls the other twin into the training, not comparison.

How to Train One Twin Before the Other

Knowing how to potty train twins can be intimidating at first. The most important part is knowing that it’s a phase that every child will get over. So, be patient and let each twin learn at their own pace.

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How to Potty Train Twins: 12 Tips and Tricks

How to Potty Train Twins Together

How to Train One Twin Before the Other

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