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Home › Articles › Toilet Training › Toilet Training Your Child: Motivating and Rewarding

Toilet Training Your Child: Motivating and Rewarding

By Jessica Williams

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Learning to use the toilet or potty-chair is a big accomplishment for a young child. It's also difficult. Some kids understand the basics and do well, and some kids really aren't ready. If you aren't sure if your child is ready for the toilet, take the quiz and see Is My Child Ready? for more information.

For most parents, finding a way to motivate their child becomes the real challenge. Short of standing over them all day long asking, "Do you have to go to the bathroom?" what can you do? A lot of kids need a reason to relieve themselves in the toilet -- which is much more work than just having an accident or soiling the diaper. So what reasons can you give your child?

The most important motivator for children, and the healthiest, is parental approval. If your tot feels a sense of pride when he makes it to the toilet in time, this is a great start! Of course, this means you need to react positively each and every time your child makes the effort to use the toilet or potty-chair. Even if your child has been attempting to use the potty for weeks, you should always react with pride and true happiness at each attempt. You are confirming that mom and dad are pleased with this behavior, which will help your child become more motivated.

Another popular way to help your child maintain interest in this new "game" is to offer a reward. Many parents believe using a reward system is the key to successful toilet training. But, some experts believe rewarding is a lot like bribing, and think the end result is not a healthy one. Bribery can deter your child from truly wanting the accomplishment for himself. Also, if he is used to hearing statements like, "If you use the potty today, I'll give you a present," three months later he may turn the tables and say, "I'll only use the potty if you give me that cookie." Negotiation can rule the house, making parents feel as if they have no authority or respect.

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