May 15, 2013

Potty Training Tips: the Potty Prize Basket!

Before I get into my post, I just wanted to turn your attention over to the poll I have displayed in my sidebar to the right.  I am trying to establish which topics readers find interesting.  I hope you'll take the few seconds to vote.  I would appreciate it very much and thanks in advance if you do!

GET YOUR TOT GOING WITH THE POTTY PRIZE BASKET

POTTY PRIZE BASKET

Potty Training. It's a popular topic! How are you doing with potty training your tot?  Let me tell you how it's been going with us.

About a few months back (maybe 4), Alivia was showing interest in sitting on the potty. I felt she was ready to train when, out of the blue, she started letting me know when she was peeing and pooping in her diaper. She’s even peed 5 times in the potty and with little to no coaxing! I was so proud of her! Lately, however, the tables have turned. She has been refusing to have anything to do with it even after I surprised her with a set of brightly colored days of the week underwear and pink princess pull ups! I was starting to think nothing was going to get her to do her business in the potty. Out of desperation, I started using things she was interested in as bargaining tools. When she'd ask to have her toes painted or go to the park I would respond with "sure as long as you sit on the potty today"! I'm happy to report this has been working. Of course sitting is all she has been doing. Unfortunately, she hasn’t peed or pooped yet. Even still, effort does not go unnoticed in our house. I've been rewarding her with small items or gestures like stickers or showering her with kisses and hugs (although that's more for myself)!

Since her effort has been improving, it got me thinking how I could help her start going in the potty. After a visit to my Sister-in-law's this past weekend, I was delighted to find a Potty Prize basket working so well for her little one who will be turning 3 in June! Since Alivia took a liking to it as well, I thought why not! The very next day I was at the toy store in search of some great toys (potty prizes).  Can you tell I was a little desperate excited?  I figured involving Alivia was key so I brought her with me and together we chose a fantastic mix of toys. I put them in a pretty basket and chose a shelf in the living room where I have been keeping it; a place she is able to see but not reach. The idea was to make it as visually enticing as possible. Lastly, I sat her down and explained that trying to go (meaning just sitting on the potty) would earn her a sticker. If she peed or pooped in the potty, then she'd be able to choose one potty prize from the basket!

Yep, that's it!  Quite simple really.  Now, let's see if it works.

And with a system finally in place, all I want to know is: "Do I get a potty prize for doing my business"? I wouldn't mind the bubble gun!

Apparently Alivia doesn't think so.  Oh well.  

Need some ideas for your own potty prizes?  Check out my recommendations!

Potty Prize Recommendations

1. Munchkin Star Fountain for Bath
2. Star Stickers
3. Crayola Twistables Bath Tub Crayons
4. Crayola Twistable Crayons
5. Mini Lalaloopsy Doll
6. Transparent Bubble Gun
7. Pull back Racer Cars
8. On the Move Shrinky Dinks
9. Transportation Sticker Decals
10. My Little Pony
11. Novelty Tiaras (set of two)
12. Plush Angry Bird

If you have any potty training tips, I’d love to hear!  I’m always looking for back up plans!  Feel free to drop me a comment!

If you missed my previous post Organizing your Workspace in Photoshop with these 6 Toolbars, I hope you’ll catch up!

10 comments:

  1. This is great! I love the little prize suggestions, I think this would really work with my daughter. She's a little young still but I'm pinning and saving this! ~ Karen
    Karen's Soiree

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  2. What a great idea! Wish I would have thought of this when my son was potty training.
    I voted in your poll.

    Pia
    pjmscloset.blogspot.ca

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  3. I just started and it's not really going well! But thanks for the tips, and all the best!

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  4. I tried everything with my son and what worked was when we was good and ready. We tried everything and he is so stubborn. Nothing worked until he was ready to poop on the potty. But then when he did, he didn't have many accidents at all. Good luck.

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

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  5. Great idea! I'll have to remember this when my little guy is ready to potty train.
    She Turned Her Dreams Into Plans

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  6. I have nominated you for the Liebster Award! Check out the details on my blog home-hearted.blogspot.com

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  7. You have a really nice blog, so much to read and very well organized. I miss my kids as toddlers and potty training was hard with my boys and easier with my girls lol, but it was so joyous when they said mama I potty lol:) Great post

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  8. We did a potty prize basket as well. We also did a sticker chart, which was her favorite part. She got to put up 1 small sticker for every successful pee, 1 big sticker for every poop, and for every 5 stickers she earned, she was allowed to pick a prize from her basket. I definitely believe bartering pottying/pooping like a big kid for prizes works, we're into potty training for about 4 months now, and we've been able to ditch the rewards because it's become second nature to use the toilet! Yay for us! Hope it all goes great with you!

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  9. Thank you for sharing your potty prize ideas. We (parents) give our kids some healthy snacks like bread sticks, pineapple pizza, etc. for every succeeding potty training session. We know that all children loves being rewarded so this is something that would drive them to do what is asked.

    http://pottyeducation.com

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