Why weekend potty-training is a bad idea

Watch Video: Why weekend potty-training is a bad idea by Alanna Levine, MD, ...
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Why weekend potty-training is a bad idea

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There are lots of potty training methods out there. There are some that think you should up a boot camp in your house in the kitchen for a long weekend. There are other methods that will potty train your child in just 24 hours. And all of those methods really leave it up to the parent to decide when it is your child should be potty trained. And really I believe it's the child's decision. Because ultimately the child needs to own it. They need to sense when they need to go and either when they need to walk to the bathroom themselves or ask a parent or a teacher to take them. So while some of these methods will work for some children, philosophically I really feel that it's the child who should be driving the process. And if it's the child that drives the process they may need a few gentle reminders in the beginning when they end up with wet pants. But in no time at all, they'll know that when they sense in their body that they need to go, they'll get to the bathroom, they'll be successful, and that excitement will be enough reinforcement to keep them potty trained. There are a lot of people that advocate giving rewards for children when they successfully use the potty. And I think a sticker chart or a decorative chart on the wall can be a nice way to bring art and fun and appreciation into the process. But I tend to caution against food rewards, because you really want children to potty train because they want to be potty trained, not because they want receive an M&M each time that they do.

Watch Video: Why weekend potty-training is a bad idea by Alanna Levine, MD, ...

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Alanna Levine, MD

Pediatrician & Author

Dr. Alanna Levine is a New York-based pediatrician and a mom of two children.  As a spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Dr. Levine frequently appears on television and in print speaking about breaking medical news and common parenting topics.  Dr. Levine is also a contributor for BabyCenter.com, on the board of advisors for GetSweaty.com, and on the executive committee for the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Communications and Media.Dr. Levine sees patients at Orangetown Pediatric Associates in New York and is on staff at Nyack Hospital and Englewood Hospital and Medical Center.   She completed her internship and residency at the Mount Sinai Hospital, received her medical degree at Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel, a master’s degree in medical sciences from Boston University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin.

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