Toddler Troubleshooter

Toilet Training Adventures: How Do I Prevent the Dreaded Dribbles?

• Season 1 • Episode 4

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Ever feel like you're sailing in the choppy seas of toddler toilet training, only to be hit by the unexpected wave of 'dreaded dribbles'? Fear not, fellow navigators, as I, Jenefer, chart a course towards dry undies and confident kiddos. On this leg of our Toddler Troubleshooter voyage, we share the tale of little Leo, a sea-worthy tot who grasped the helm of the toilet but had a splash of trouble staying dry. Join us on a quest where punishment walks the plank, and positive reinforcement reigns supreme, ensuring that both you and your pint-sized pirate can treasure the booty of successful toilet training.

Hoisting the flag of the Sage Sprout strategy, we set sail on redefining rewards and focusing on the art of staying dry. By emphasizing the joy of dry pants and breaking the pattern of Leo's 'wet checks,' we discovered a trove of strategies that go beyond the bathroom basics. It's a narrative rich with the spoils of working memory enhancement and long-term skill retention, showing that a sprinkle of understanding and a galleon of positive reinforcement can guide your toddler to the shores of dryness. So, batten down the hatches and prepare to embark on an adventure that transforms the toilet training trials into triumphs!

Jenefer:

Welcome to the Toddler Troubleshooter. Hello Sage Sprout's parents, I'm your host, Jenefer. As a parent of a toddler, and with over 20 years of experience working with young children, I'm excited to share my tools for troubleshooting your toddler. In each brief podcast, we'll explore the different challenges that arise in toddlerhood and I'll provide you detailed troubleshooting strategies Drawing from my extensive background. You'll not only gain practical tools, but you'll also discover how to make this journey enjoyable for both you and your little one. Toddlers are an adventure. From toilet training to transitions, our little ones love to take charge. I will arm you with the Sage Sprout strategy to troubleshoot and modify your approach as challenges arise. So if you're ready to troubleshoot your toddler and transform toddlerhood into a positive and manageable experience, let's get started.

Jenefer:

Welcome back to another captivating episode of Toilet Training Adventures. Today, we're exploring a crucial aspect of toilet training empowering your little one to stay dry. We will answer the question how do I prevent the dreaded dribbles? In previous episodes, we covered the basics of peeing in the toilet, offering choices and utilizing visuals. Now let's shift our focus to the other side of the coin keeping those undies dry throughout the day. In this episode, I'll share a story about a little guy who mastered using the toilet but struggled with staying dry. This story will highlight the importance of adapting strategies to address specific challenges in toilet training.

Jenefer:

Recently, I had the privilege of working with a little guy. We'll call Leo. On the surface, he had mastered toilet training. However, there was a small hiccup. He consistently waited until he had wet himself a little bit before considering using the toilet. When prompted by his mom, he would confidently proclaim I'm not wet and insisted he didn't need to go. It became clear that he had formed an interesting connection waiting until he was wet before transitioning to the toilet. The situation took a challenging turn when the little guy started daycare. Daycare had a strict rule that all kids must be 100% toilet trained. Due to these little accidents, he was put back into a pull-up during the day. Unfortunately, this setback hindered his progress and he reverted to fully relying on the pull-up, despite possessing all the necessary skills for toilet training. Now you might be wondering how he managed to turn this situation around. Many might assume that we had to implement some form of punishment. However, I'm excited to share with you an alternative approach that focus on positive reinforcement. I'll elaborate on a small but effective strategy that played a crucial role in Leo's journey, enabling him to stay dry and confidently return to daycare without the need for a pull-up.

Jenefer:

Today's tip Reward your child for staying dry. Firstly, let's recognize toilet training involves two crucial parts Teaching where to pee and, equally important, teaching where not to pee. It's not just about getting them to use the toilet. It's about preventing those pesky accidents that can be discouraging for both parents and children. Let's shift our mindset and learn how to teach our little ones that staying dry is a critical component of the skill set we're helping them to develop.

Jenefer:

Now, circling back to Leo's story, our journey took a positive turn. After a brief consultation with his mom, we immediately implemented a new plan, transitioning back to underwear. At home, we initiated conversations with Leo about the concept of dryness. While he grasped the difference between wet and dry, he needed guidance on the preferred behavior. Rather than solely rewarding him for using the toilet. As he understood that part, our new goal was to reward him for staying dry. We emphasized that staying dry involved reaching the toilet before getting wet. This subtle shift allowed us to consistently reinforce his efforts and break the association between wetness and the need to go. This story emphasizes using positive reinforcement to teach desired behaviors rather than solely focusing on reprimanding kids for what we don't want them to do. Researchers have found that positive reinforcement plays a crucial role in enhancing children's working memory and their ability to maintain newly acquired skills long term.

Jenefer:

At the outset of toilet training, I put a strong emphasis on teaching the concepts of wet and dry. If there is no initial understanding, we start by playing a game with cloths to ensure they understand the difference. Once we see there is some understanding, we embark on our journey heavily focused on the dry pants checks. I love getting them to proudly show everyone in the house when they are dry. It really helps turn this into a positive and engaging experience. I set intervals for checking dryness varying from every 10 to 30 minutes, based on the child's age and previous toilet training experience. If the child has a negative learning history regarding wetness, I may do a longer interval just to avoid pestering them. Ensure they are excited and feeling positive about showing you they are dry. As they begin to get the hang of it, we gradually check less, stretching it out to every 60 minutes or more. Take your time, there is no rush. For Leo, the consistent dry pants checks and positive reinforcement successfully changed his understanding and taught him to use the toilet before experiencing a wet spot. The shift not only improved his at home experience, but also prepared him for success at daycare without the need for a pull up. Mom was thrilled and very relieved.

Jenefer:

To compliment this positive change, I love using a fun visual element with clip arts of underwear. During our sessions, I encourage the child to put a big check mark on each pair when they are dry. This not only serves as a celebratory moment, but also provides a visual reminder of their achievements. You can find a copy of this visual aid in the free download sections on my website, sagesproutsparentpodcom. Now I'm sure you're wondering what if they're not dry? What do I do then If they happen to be wet? We commonly say whoops, you're wet this time. No big deal. Here's a clean pair of undies. Let's finish on the toilet and change them.

Jenefer:

The key is to maintain a positive and supportive cone, reassuring your child that accidents happen and it's all part of the learning process. There's no reprimand or punishment or disappointment for being wet. This way, they won't feel the need to hide it or avoid letting us know when they are wet. Initially, I continue to reward and reinforce them for peeing in the toilet, because this is still a very important element. As they grasp the new strategy, I may gradually transition to reinforcing only when they are dry and use the toilet. This shift is based on individual understanding and progress. Though, to avoid any regression, especially if you notice your child starts avoiding the toilet without reinforcement, consider implementing a high and low level reward system. This ensures that the child continues to make strides in their toilet training journey High level for dry and pee in the toilet, low level for damp and transitioning to try to finish on the toilet.

Jenefer:

In conclusion, mastering dryness in toilet training is a journey filled with unique challenges and triumphs. Leo's story illustrates transformative power of positive reinforcement, reshaping his behavior and empowering him to stay dry. Remember, the key elements involve teaching wet and dry concepts, implementing consistent dry pants checks and celebrating every dry moment. By creating a positive and engaging experience and reinforcing positive behaviors, we pave the way for successful toilet training. For a more detailed guide on how to implement and fade these crucial dry pants checks, head on over to my website and grab your free copy SageSproutsParentPodcom. Looking ahead, our future episodes will discuss implementing reinforcement for maximum effectiveness and guide you on how to seamlessly fade it out, ensuring you're not stuck in a perpetual reward cycle. For now, let's celebrate the progress, reinforce positive behaviors and keep the journey fun and engaging. Happy toilet training everyone.

Jenefer:

Thanks for joining us on Toddler Troubleshooter. That's a wrap for today's episode. Thank you so much for tuning in and being part of our parenting community. If you found value in today's discussion, don't forget to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode. I'm Jenefer, a parent coach and fellow mom navigating the joys and trials of toddler life along with you. To hear more about my journey and get access to more tips and tricks, follow me on Instagram at SageSprouts underscore parent pod, or find us on Facebook at Sage Sprouts parent pod. Look forward to seeing you in the pod. Remember, parenting is a journey we navigate together and your support means the world to us. If you have any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes, feel free to reach out through social media or through our website, sagesproutsparentpodcom. Stay tuned for our next episode. Until then, take care and may your parenting journey be filled with joy and laughter. See you next episode.