Punishment Has No Place in Potty Training
Once you get on the potty training track again, make a fresh start that eliminates all punitive measures. Even things that seem small, like not allowing your toddler to read a favorite book or watch a favorite show if he has an accident, are ineffective and inappropriate ways to support your child while he is potty training. Remember that potty training involves your child's development and he is not being willfully disobedient when he has an accident. He is in the process of learning a skill and this takes time, practice and patience.
Some positive ways to help him with this process include:
- Giving verbal encouragement when he makes progress: "Good job, you peed in the potty!"
- Not giving accidents undue attention: "Oh, I see you had an accident. Let's get cleaned up."
- Enlisting his help in clean-up when accidents happen: "You can go get some new clothes while I take these to the laundry, then we'll get the paper towels for the floor and clean this up together."
- Speaking in a calm voice to help him relax. "I'll be right outside when you're done pottying if you need help wiping your bottom."
In the long run, punishment, especially harsh or abusive punishment like spanking, yelling and threatening can cause lasting damage not only to the potty training process but also to your child's emotional well-being overall. If you ever feel like you are losing control of the situation, move your child to a safe place and call a friend or loved one for some emotional support. There are also crisis centers that can help you regain control. You can call 1-800-4-A-CHILD and talk to someone and remain completely anonymous.