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

Send us a text

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!

Episode Transcript

Jenefer (00:07):
Welcome to the Toddler Troubleshooter.
Hello Sage Sprout's parents,I'm your host, Jenefer.
As a parent of a toddler, andwith 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'llexplore the different challenges
that arise in toddlerhood andI'll provide you detailed
troubleshooting strategiesDrawing from my extensive

(00:29):
background.
You'll not only gain practicaltools, but you'll also discover
how to make this journeyenjoyable for both you and your
little one.
Toddlers are an adventure.
From toilet training totransitions, our little ones
love to take charge.
I will arm you with the SageSprout strategy to troubleshoot
and modify your approach aschallenges arise.
So if you're ready totroubleshoot your toddler and

(00:50):
transform toddlerhood into apositive and manageable
experience, let's get started.
Welcome back to anothercaptivating episode of Toilet
Training Adventures.
Today, we're exploring acrucial aspect of toilet
training empowering your littleone to stay dry.

(01:12):
We will answer the question howdo I prevent the dreaded
dribbles?
In previous episodes, wecovered the basics of peeing in
the toilet, offering choices andutilizing visuals.
Now let's shift our focus tothe other side of the coin
keeping those undies drythroughout the day.
In this episode, I'll share astory about a little guy who

(01:33):
mastered using the toilet butstruggled with staying dry.
This story will highlight theimportance of adapting
strategies to address specificchallenges in toilet training.
Recently, I had the privilege ofworking with a little guy.
We'll call Leo.
On the surface, he had masteredtoilet training.
However, there was a smallhiccup.
He consistently waited until hehad wet himself a little bit

(01:57):
before considering using thetoilet.
When prompted by his mom, hewould confidently proclaim I'm
not wet and insisted he didn'tneed to go.
It became clear that he hadformed an interesting connection
waiting until he was wet beforetransitioning to the toilet.
The situation took achallenging turn when the little

(02:17):
guy started daycare.
Daycare had a strict rule thatall kids must be 100% toilet
trained.
Due to these little accidents,he was put back into a pull-up
during the day.
Unfortunately, this setbackhindered his progress and he
reverted to fully relying on thepull-up, despite possessing all
the necessary skills for toilettraining.
Now you might be wondering howhe managed to turn this

(02:40):
situation around.
Many might assume that we hadto implement some form of
punishment.
However, I'm excited to sharewith you an alternative approach
that focus on positivereinforcement.
I'll elaborate on a small buteffective strategy that played a
crucial role in Leo's journey,enabling him to stay dry and
confidently return to daycarewithout the need for a pull-up.

(03:06):
Today's tip Reward your childfor staying dry.
Firstly, let's recognize toilettraining involves two crucial
parts Teaching where to pee and,equally important, teaching
where not to pee.
It's not just about gettingthem to use the toilet.
It's about preventing thosepesky accidents that can be

(03:27):
discouraging for both parentsand children.
Let's shift our mindset andlearn how to teach our little
ones that staying dry is acritical component of the skill
set we're helping them todevelop.
Now, circling back to Leo'sstory, our journey took a
positive turn.
After a brief consultation withhis mom, we immediately
implemented a new plan,transitioning back to underwear.

(03:49):
At home, we initiatedconversations with Leo about the
concept of dryness.
While he grasped the differencebetween wet and dry, he needed
guidance on the preferredbehavior.
Rather than solely rewardinghim for using the toilet.
As he understood that part, ournew goal was to reward him for
staying dry.
We emphasized that staying dryinvolved reaching the toilet

(04:11):
before getting wet.
This subtle shift allowed us toconsistently reinforce his
efforts and break theassociation between wetness and
the need to go.
This story emphasizes usingpositive reinforcement to teach
desired behaviors rather thansolely focusing on reprimanding
kids for what we don't want themto do.

(04:31):
Researchers have found thatpositive reinforcement plays a
crucial role in enhancingchildren's working memory and
their ability to maintain newlyacquired skills long term.
At the outset of toilet training, I put a strong emphasis on
teaching the concepts of wet anddry.
If there is no initialunderstanding, we start by

(04:53):
playing a game with cloths toensure they understand the
difference.
Once we see there is someunderstanding, we embark on our
journey heavily focused on thedry pants checks.
I love getting them to proudlyshow everyone in the house when
they are dry.
It really helps turn this intoa positive and engaging
experience.
I set intervals for checkingdryness varying from every 10 to

(05:16):
30 minutes, based on thechild's age and previous toilet
training experience.
If the child has a negativelearning history regarding
wetness, I may do a longerinterval just to avoid pestering
them.
Ensure they are excited andfeeling positive about showing
you they are dry.
As they begin to get the hangof it, we gradually check less,
stretching it out to every 60minutes or more.

(05:37):
Take your time, there is norush.
For Leo, the consistent drypants checks and positive
reinforcement successfullychanged his understanding and
taught him to use the toiletbefore experiencing a wet spot.
The shift not only improved hisat home experience, but also
prepared him for success atdaycare without the need for a

(05:58):
pull up.
Mom was thrilled and veryrelieved.
To compliment this positivechange, I love using a fun
visual element with clip arts ofunderwear.
During our sessions, Iencourage the child to put a big
check mark on each pair whenthey are dry.
This not only serves as acelebratory moment, but also
provides a visual reminder oftheir achievements.

(06:18):
You can find a copy of thisvisual aid in the free download
sections on my website,sagesproutsparentpodcom.
Now I'm sure you're wonderingwhat if they're not dry?
What do I do then If theyhappen to be wet?
We commonly say whoops, you'rewet this time.
No big deal.
Here's a clean pair of undies.

(06:40):
Let's finish on the toilet andchange them.
The key is to maintain apositive and supportive cone,
reassuring your child thataccidents happen and it's all
part of the learning process.
There's no reprimand orpunishment or disappointment for
being wet.
This way, they won't feel theneed to hide it or avoid letting
us know when they are wet.
Initially, I continue to rewardand reinforce them for peeing

(07:03):
in the toilet, because this isstill a very important element.
As they grasp the new strategy,I may gradually transition to
reinforcing only when they aredry and use the toilet.
This shift is based onindividual understanding and
progress.
Though, to avoid any regression, especially if you notice your
child starts avoiding the toiletwithout reinforcement, consider

(07:24):
implementing a high and lowlevel reward system.
This ensures that the childcontinues to make strides in
their toilet training journeyHigh level for dry and pee in
the toilet, low level for dampand transitioning to try to
finish on the toilet.
In conclusion, mastering drynessin toilet training is a journey

(07:44):
filled with unique challengesand triumphs.
Leo's story illustratestransformative power of positive
reinforcement, reshaping hisbehavior and empowering him to
stay dry.
Remember, the key elementsinvolve teaching wet and dry
concepts, implementingconsistent dry pants checks and
celebrating every dry moment.

(08:05):
By creating a positive andengaging experience and
reinforcing positive behaviors,we pave the way for successful
toilet training.
For a more detailed guide onhow to implement and fade these
crucial dry pants checks, headon over to my website and grab
your free copySageSproutsParentPodcom.
Looking ahead, our futureepisodes will discuss

(08:29):
implementing reinforcement formaximum effectiveness and guide
you on how to seamlessly fade itout, ensuring you're not stuck
in a perpetual reward cycle.
For now, let's celebrate theprogress, reinforce positive
behaviors and keep the journeyfun and engaging.
Happy toilet training everyone.

(08:52):
Thanks for joining us on ToddlerTroubleshooter.
That's a wrap for today'sepisode.
Thank you so much for tuning inand being part of our parenting
community.
If you found value in today'sdiscussion, don't forget to hit
that subscribe button so younever miss an episode.
I'm Jenefer, a parent coach andfellow mom navigating the joys
and trials of toddler life alongwith you.

(09:12):
To hear more about my journeyand get access to more tips and
tricks, follow me on Instagramat SageSprouts underscore parent
pod, or find us on Facebook atSage Sprouts parent pod.
Look forward to seeing you inthe pod.
Remember, parenting is ajourney we navigate together and
your support means the world tous.

(09:32):
If you have any topics you'dlike us to cover in future
episodes, feel free to reach outthrough social media or through
our website,sagesproutsparentpodcom.
Stay tuned for our next episode.
Until then, take care and mayyour parenting journey be filled
with joy and laughter.
See you next episode.