Could anyone offer any suggestions as to what they did when they potty trained a child who has a sibling about a year younger who always wants to be around their big brother or sister?

The reason why I am asking this is because we have begun introducing the potty to Julianna (no full training as of yet)and Claudia, who is 11 months younger, is kind of getting in the way. When I potty trained Gabby it was much easier because she was my only child then. I can't put Julianna in a toddler bed yet because both her and Claudia share a room and she would torment Claudia in the middle of the night. Do you think I should hold off?

By Bemerry84 on Friday, June 30, 2006 - 03:04 pm:

My boys are almost 7 years apart so no BTDT.

At my daycare (a home) they are always potty training someone and if the younger ones show any interest at all (kind of getting in the way like you said) she will put them on the potty and has actually had the younger ones trained faster than the older ones (2 1/2 - 3) at times just because they want to be like the older kids.

I see your girls are real close in age. If I were you I'd let them both start at the same time, they can help each other and be cheering for the other when they go. Who knows you may be done with diapers before you know it!!!

My mom has said that when she was training my brother my sister wanted to do it too and she was actually trained before my brother. They are 11 month apart.

Good Luck.

By Kiki on Sunday, July 2, 2006 - 06:28 pm:

Thanks Mary. I didn't think about training them at the same time. I think I should hold off for awhile until it really becomes an issue.