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Sometimes, I run into people who love to say that their children are practically twins because they were born say, 13 months apart (such as my uncle). I smile and nod. Oh, if they only knew. One particular incident comes to mind and I am certain that my uncle never experienced such a thing.

One of my twin girls was a little further along in her quest to being potty trained than the other. So much so that I kind of already thought she was basically there. Her sister, however, still enjoyed the convenience of Mommy laying her down, cleaning her bottom and putting on a clean pair of pull-ups. After all, why should she give up the luxury of Mommy taking care of this dirty task?

One afternoon, I was in the middle of changing one of my twins. She was lying on the Pack ‘n Play “shelf.” With one hand holding both her legs in the air and the other reaching for a wipe, my other daughter runs into the room crying, “Mommy, I have to go potty!” I encourage her to run into the bathroom and go. She screams, “Come with me, Mommy!” I tell her I will be just a second while I finish up with her sister. Upset, she screams, “No!” A trickle and then a downpour…on my beautiful Oriental rug. “I’m almost done, baby girl,” I assure my daughter as calmly as humanly possible, sighing heavily to myself. It’s only a rug…it’s only a rug…it’s only a rug - I held onto this thought as I quickened my diaper changing process.

That scene will forever play in my head. This story will be told multiple times over the years.

Every instruction book will tell you the key to potty training is to remain calm, maintain a supportive, positive environment and your potty training child will be successful. I wanted to scream…but I couldn’t. I didn’t. Five deep breaths. I cleaned up my sobbing daughter. I sprayed the Resolve on the offending area. I covered the spot with Febreeze. I smiled and soothed my weeping daughter.

Then I vented on my husband when he walked in the front door. Finally. Relief.

Posted by Linda D (Novemberr 14, 2007)  Cross-posted at Silicon Valley Moms Blog.