Rewards - how to do it?

[endofanera23]

Potty training is proving more difficult than expected. Although we were advised not to use rewards, we think it's time to try a new tack.

We're going to try chocolate buttons but I'm interested to know exactly when to give them and when not. Obviously I'll give one if he does a pee or poo in the potty, but if he does some of it in his clothes/on the floor then I put him on the potty where he does the rest, does he still get one or does he not because that's rewarding an accident? Does he get one if he sits down and tries to poo but nothing comes out? Please tell me what rules work best for success!

My limited experience of training two girls at about 2.75 years old went like this, we didn't use a 'method' or book.

Choc button for either a successful wee, or a wee accident where the child realised and made an effort to get themself to the potty/toilet once they'd started (after the first two or three days where anything in the potty got rewarded). Poos in potty (or near enough, as with wees) got a haribo as they are considered a major treat for some reason. Only given when poo actually done as otherwise they would both have totally gamed my system 😂

Both of them pretty reliable after a week, I was happy to say trained after a fortnight (independently going to and using potty reliably, still had the odd accident where they started weeing and had to dash to the travel potty when engrossed in playing eg at the park). Buttons gradually withdrawn but the sweets for poos continued for a bit longer, then got downgraded to buttons for poos as we also use them as toe and fingernail bribes for the little one.

Thank you!

I went all out with potty training as DS was 3 and told me quite clearly that he didn’t want to stop playing my to use the loo!

we had the “potty fairy” come and swop all his nappies for pants and wrapped up pound shop presents. There was about 30 of them in a massive plastic tub. Whenever he went to the loo successfully he got to pick a prezzie from the tub. We had no accidents - he was older so got it immediately though. We had many false starts and I was desperate, hence why I chucked everything at it!

Found a photo of the potty fairies work 😂