Keeping up the Motivation

1/1/1988 | by Dave Hagler

Motivation is an important part of potty training. And, while getting (and keeping) your child motivated is not easy, it is truly a key ingredient to success. 

There is no single best way to motivate your child to potty train; you just need to find the right motivation.  Here are a few ideas you can test while potty training.  You may try and fail at several of them before finding the right one for your child.  But, you need to stick with it.

Self-Motivation
Teachers can sense when kids are self-motivated (perhaps because they want so much to be like their older siblings), and it ends up offering the best opportunity for results.

Talk up how babies wear diapers, and older kids go potty and wear underwear.  If they want to be like them, they just need to use the potty.  If your child is motivated this way, consider yourself lucky because potty training will probably go rather quickly.  But, if you are like the rest of us, keep reading for more motivation ideas.

Potty Time Is Party Time
What kid isn't motivated by fun?  The more fun you can bring to potty training, the more motivated your child will be.  A great way to make potty training fun is with the Pull-Ups® Potty Dance.  With kid-tested video, song, and dance steps, you’ll have everything you need to bring a party to the potty.

Just Don't Call It Bribery
Sometimes you need to give a little to get a little.  Offer your child rewards as motivation to use the potty.  What you use as reward can vary.  Start small and try several different options to find something that works.  A sticker, candy, a trip to the dollar store, or watching a movie can all be used as incentives.  At first, offer rewards just for attempting to go potty.  Then keep raising the bar, so rewards are given only for successful attempts, or going on their own without prompting.

Don't worry, if you feel guilty about coercing your child, just remember it's positive reinforcement not bribery.  And isn't it totally worth it if it works?