consistency

Do I have a strong-willed child you ask? Believe me, if you are raising one, then you know. You know that simple tasks can have you in battle mode. There are times you just want to give up because it would be easier, but you don’t because you refuse to raise a bratty child who will hate you later.

There have been a myriad of books, articles and webinars about how to raise/deal with strong-willed children, but how many of them address what these kids need from their parents?

A few weeks ago, I wrote about an episode that I had with my strong-willed child that has forever changed how I parent. I wrote about it for a series entitled, What Motherhood Means to Me, on the Life of a Minister Mom blog. To read all about the time I lost control, click here.

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Potty training should be easier the second time around right? I thought that since I have done this once with my four-year-old, it should be a piece of cake with my two year old. I’m quickly finding out that potty training can be challenging, even if you’ve done it before.

Here’s what I’ve noticed about potty training the second time around:

Patience

With Baby #1, everything is exciting and astonishing. The moment they discover their toes for the first time is even exciting. By the time baby #2 comes along, you are so over diapers, that you are counting down the days until they are in underwear.

If you happen to have your kids close together (like I did), then you may have two in diapers at the same time (bless you)!

Twice the diapers means twice the mess and twice the amount of money you are spending on diapers.

Changing two sets of poopy diapers is enough to wear on anyone’s patience.

It’s inevitable if I want to workout, cook a meal, talk to a customer service representative, that will be the exact moment a potty training crisis will occur.

You Forget How Messy It Can Be

When you are potty training, you have to go all in to make it work. This means accidents. And more accidents. I prefer using flushable wet wipes–it gets the job done easier and disposing is simple too!

Consistency

Because you are juggling two kids instead of one, you are performing a balancing act daily and may not be as consistent as you were the first time around.

With the first child, you asked if they had to go potty every 3o minutes.

With the second one, you remember when you see their pull up droop, or after the accident has already happened.

Pull-Ups Are Amazing!

Pull-Ups brand has teamed up with renowned child psychologist and potty training experts to create a method that takes the guesswork out of potty training: the Pull-Ups Potty Partnership-a whole new way to potty train. Together.

Pull-Ups are great when you need a break from the accidents; especially when you are traveling and your child isn’t 100% potty trained.

My daughters loved that their favorite characters are featured on the box and the Pull-Up itself.

Timing is Everything

Baby #2 may not be ready at the same time as #1 and that’s okay! In some cases, potty training for your second child happens sooner than your first child, and in some cases, it happens later.

My oldest was fully potty trained by 3.5, just in time for Pre-K.

The youngest on the other hand, started peeing on the potty at 15 months, but at two years old, she’s not quite ready to be fully potty trained. I’ve only been at it consistently for a week since school has been out, but for shopping & road trips, pull ups come in handy.

I think this was partially due her sister actively potty training through most of her babyhood.

For those of you with two or more children, what did you find challenging about potty training the second time around? What tips do you have that worked through the potty training madness?

Tag me on twitter (rthoseyourkids) & use the hashtag #TrainTogether to tell me all about it!