When I was potty training my daughter, I tried a sticker chart, M & M's, and other gimmicks that I had heard about. I knew she could pee on the potty because she had done it many times. She just wasn't being consistent with it.We did two things that totally worked for us. And I swear that within a week she was out of diapers (except for naptime and bedtime) and using the potty consistently.
First, we took advantage of spring break from preschool to go cold turkey and switched from diapers to training underpants. (Yes, it was a bit messy for a while).
Second, we started using Potty Training Rewards. I had found these online and ordered them as a last hope after sticker bribery and a reward chart didn't work.
Potty Training Rewards are a cardboard rectangle with a bright picture of a boy or girl. It has 24 windows and a button. When a child successfully goes potty, she can push the button and hears the message "Great Job! What a big girl you are. Now open a door and find a surprise." They open a door which reveals a small piece of chocolate with a symbol that matches the picture inside the door.
Since we had never really given our daughter sweets before, she thought it was so cool. We even made a game out of guessing which symbol she would get and trying to match it to the picture on the box.
By the time we got through the first 24 squares, she was successfully and consistently peeing on the potty. Since I had ordered two sets, we used the second set only as a reward for pooping on the potty. And before she even finished the second set, she no longer needed rewards and half the time didn't ask for one.
Potty Training Rewards worked for us with our daughter. I am definitely going to try this method when our son is ready.
Since they are not expensive, I suggest ordering a set of two. They are $5.99 each, or two for $9.99. They are shipped with a cold gel pack so that they don't melt.
WIN IT: FIVE winners will each receive their choice of two Potty Training Rewards (retail value approximately $20 including shipping). To enter, send an e-mail to winfullmommy (at) gmail (dot) com with "POTTY TRAIN" in the subject line, by September 27, 2008 with the answer to this question: Besides the boy and girl chocolate rewards, what other type of reward does the company sell? Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please read the official rules for entering our giveaways.
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