Potty Training

PRIZEs for POTTY TRAINING!!

Potty Training can be a JOY, and NOT a CHORE
- IF YOU MAKE IT A GAME!

This worked for my 7 kids: Make a ladder like the one to the right, (from adding machine paper, etc., or print this out), and tape it on the wall right near the potty. Choose an inexpensive prize to buy that you know your child will enjoy (a small toy, a lollipop, a candy, etc.) plus a pack of small stickers in advance (and HIDE IT!) Draw or paste a picture of the prize in the square above the ladder. Each time your child goes potty in the RIGHT PLACE (on the pot) he gets a sticker, starting at the bottom of the ladder. Praise him enthusiastically, and mention how each time he does, he will get a sticker, and when he gets to the top, he will win the prize! (If the prize is candy - DO NOT give him ANY Candy AT ANY OTHER TIMES UNTIL HE HAS EARNED IT by doing his 'JOB'! Many kids enjoy placing their earned sticker on their chart by themselves - show them where it goes and that in itself will be a temporary satisfaction for their good behavior until they have earn their 'big' prize on top.

If he has an accident outside the bathroom, instead of scolding, just say, "I'm sorry, I can't give you a sticker this time. But next time, when you do it on the potty, I can give you a sticker!" Make another chart after they complete the chart and win the prize, and before long it will be a habit, even without the prize!

You get a pRIZE, too:

a potty-trained child!

Question: What about while they are learning? Should I use 'pullups' or regular underwear?

HEIDI (a fantastic mother of FIVE) made this wise observation ABOUT 'pull-ups':
"Pullups = a diaper ; a DIAPER = go ahead and pee."
I agree! SMART MAMA, HEIDI! THANKS for your contribution to the mom's and kids of the world! I could never afford pullups anyway and thought they were probably invented to get more of my hard-earned money! Some 'experts' believe that children actually learn faster when they can feel their 'mistake' running down their legs, but you do have to be able to afford the time and handling more mess to allow it! But what about kids DOESN'T involve mess? There's no avoiding it - JUMP RIGHT IN FOLKS! Join the FUN!

What about teaching them to WIPE? Here are some great links to help kids learn to wipe:

LINK 1: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pediatrics-1429/teaching-child-clean-BM.htm
LINK 2: http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/8/586186
---From this site I read a cute 'game' you can make of wiping skills:
"We make a game of how many wipes it will take, so I will say, 'I think it is a 3 wipe poo' and he will say, 'nope it is 5', and promptly wipe and check, wipe and check and see who had the best guess before his bottom is clean!"
LINK 3: http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/potty/wiping.html
LINK 4: http://www.thelaboroflove.com/articles/how-to-teach-your-child-to-wipe-while-learning-to-use-the-potty/

This site represents personal opinions meant for informational purposes
only, and is not meant to substitute for professional advice. GOT GOOD TIPS? Contact GOMOMMYGO!

Entire Contents of this site, and the name: GOMOMMYGO ©Ruth Elliott , 2008, unless otherwise noted.

Mommy Go Main Page

Custom Search