Unexpected developments

So just last night I was on the phone with my friend Kim, whose daughter just started potty training over the weekend. I swear my kids must have been eavesdropping because this afternoon and evening was a virtual potty bananza! We've had a child size potty in our hall bathroom since around Christmastime and the kids sit on it from time to time, but we've never pushed them to use it. Amelia in the past few weeks has started consistently asking for diaper changes. Abigail asks for one every once in a while, and Gabriel just likes to say "poo poo." But tonight all three of them jumped on the potty bandwagon. Amelia actually asked to sit on the potty after their bath so she did, and she peed! Very exciting! And pretty cute. It couldn't have been easier.

Then, after dinner when we were heading toward diaper changes and pajamas, Abby asked to sit on the potty. She camped out there for a while, and a couple times even said "pee pee" and stood up to check if anything was in the potty. Nothing was there, but I have to give her kudos for wanting to make it happen. While Abby was lounging on the little potty, Amelia decided she wanted to go again. The normal toilet was the only unoccupied potty in the bathroom, so I held Amelia over the big potty and she went again, for the second time in one day! I was so excited! Then of course Gabriel wanted to get in on the action, so he asked to sit on the big potty too. And he actually used it! I couldn't believe it. Even though he was more interested in unrolling the toilet paper than giving himself a reason to need it, I was still impressed and pleased with their newfound interest in all things potty. Although I admit I am a bit stricken with anxiety at the idea of potty training all three kids at one time. The good thing is I think once one kid starts, the other two will be dying to try it too. Nothing like peer pressure to motivate change. The bad thing is potty training is a lot of work! And three at once is a lot to juggle. It was hard enough this evening keeping everyone's hands and faces out of the toilet while trying to hold Amelia and Gabriel so they didn't end up taking a swim in the toilet bowl. Everyone was peering into the bowl, captivated by this new and intriguing process. I'm not planning on any grand new program to get them potty trained all of a sudden, but I figure there's no reason to fight it. I just hope I can survive it.