Potty Training Tip: Candy, Dancing and TV

on April 27, 2009 at 11:51 AM

Photo by JayGirlsMom

How do I toilet train my toddler? It's one of the most asked questions on CafeMom. There isn't one answer for every toddler, so each week I'll shout out a new success story or quick tip from a real mom.

Tip #2: Use Candy, Dancing and Television

I started by taking my kids to the little toilets as soon as they woke up. Once they started getting the morning pee in the potty, we did a big potty dance and they got jelly beans or M&MS. Eventually I put them in a jar to keep in the bathroom.

They would get two candies just for sitting on the toilet every time I went to the bathroom, five for making a potty, and two handfuls for poop. And every time they went successfully, we did a big celebration and the potty dance.

After they realized the first potty in the morning, I then started taking them every half-hour to the potty, but I would sit to and we would play a little game while we sat. Sometimes I'd sing or even read stories.

We would also, at times let them bring their little potties out to sit on while they watched TV if we kept missing the potty moment. At times they were a bit more willing at times to go.

This tip courtesy of ncstress, a CafeMom of 3, including a 19 month old.

Be sure to check out these groups:

Potty Training Moms Support Group

Potty Training Just for Boys!!

Potty Training Little Girls!

I'd love to post your inspiring potty training tales! PM me or leave them here. And I need potty training photos, too! Just download to your page and tag or re-tag them dailybuzz and potty.

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: potty training

Comments (4)

heatherama

on Apr 27, 2009 at 3:20 PM

Honestly, we've just let it happen on it's own.

I tried the training route with the candies and whatnot. I even had a party for my daughter to celebrate the fact that she had started using the potty on a regular basis. And then her baby brother was born(she was 2 1/2 at the time) and she was done with the potty. She came back to it but for a few months there I was pulling my hair out trying to find a way to get her to get back on the potty again.

Finally, one of my awesome cafemom friends let me in on a little secret--I can do all the training and teaching and potty learning I want to do but at the end of the day, my daughter is going to pee on that potty when she's good and ready.

So I let go. I stopped fussing. No more candy and no more big deal and applause.
And you know what? It worked. She's just over 3 now and she's like a potty pro.
She does have an accident here and there and when she does we clean it up together.

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madamekatekate

on Apr 27, 2009 at 4:36 PM

Makes perfect sense but I think I'll find another reward besides candy. Seems that it could turn counterproductive very easily.

I remember with my little brother we used matchbox cars.

wife2006

on Apr 28, 2009 at 3:33 PM

I havn't tryed the candy thing but I have my Nieces over and she would go potty with my son to help him go but what i can't get is when i ask him to haft go pee he says no does it anyways.. So will try anything once.. so if anyone can help me please do so..