With potty training complete for almost all of my four kids, I've learned what works for us: an incentive plan, complete with rewards.
Of course, figuring out the perfect reward was key, given their different interests, so it did take some trial and error.
But you can learn from my mistakes. I've tried all.the.things. at one point or another before we landed on these five winners. Hopefully one or two of these will work for you too.
5 Potty Training Rewards
Cheers to you for taking the next parenting step; I hope the switch flips for your kids and soon you'll be doing the potty dance!
1. Stickers, stickers, stickers You likely have a ton around your home, there may be no need to buy new. These will come in handy if you choose to do a sticker success chart. Some kids don't need a chart; just give them the stickers when they go potty or try and they are happy as clams.
2. Bubbly hand wash for post-potty play Most kids love to play with bubbles, so use that to your advantage. If your little one finishes potty time successfully, let her have bubble playtime in the sink!
3. Build independence with favorite characters When you are grabbing bubbly hand wash at the store, be sure to pick up some Pampers Easy Ups to have on hand. You need something that is easy to get on and off and allows for independence. Pampers Easy Ups have cool child-enticing patterns — my daughter loves her Dora the Explorer Easy Ups!
4. Dollar bin for the win The dollar store and dollar bins are a great source for small gifts and incentives. All kids learn differently and are motivated differently; don't be afraid to pick up some fun, inexpensive items as rewards. A Slinky, festive character socks, colorful inking stamps, bouncing balls, light-up pens, and more can help your little trainer celebrate her success.
5. Books and more books Kids love to read with their parents, so make it part of the system. If they go potty, they get to choose a book to read with Mom or Dad. It's an educational bonus! Plus, you will have a lot of downtime during the training period as you stick close to home those first few days; reading is a great way to use it up.
Effective Potty-Training Incentives
While these incentives worked for my kids, I know there are many more ideas out there. So I went on the hunt for other clever reward systems. Perhaps you have a stubborn trainer or your child needs a regular visual reminder of the goal — these moms can help. A little bribery can go a long way, am I right?
