Reward withdrawal for potty training

[avarnlady]

Hi all! I swore blind I wouldn’t use a reward system for potty training my 3yr old son, but after 8 weeks of scraping poo out of pants I caved! He now gets a little Celebration chocolate each time he does a successful poo in the potty/loo. After 2 weeks I think he’s (sort of) cracked it... but... I’m now not sure how you withdraw the treats!! Any suggestions?

[dementedpixie]

Downgrade to a chocolate button? Then a sticker maybe

[Wavingwhiledrowning]

I'd just not mention it any more. If he asks, give him something, but if he doesn't say anything, just forget about it. I find that usually works when I'm trying to break some kind of pattern like that. At first they remember every time but it often surprises me how quickly they just forget and move on.

[avarnlady]

Thanks both. He has an elephant’s memory when it comes to treats so it may take a while to wean him off but I’m sure we’ll get there!