I want to share with all the parents out there how I have been potty training my kids. 

     Well let me just start out by saying I do have 4 kids and it has been successful each time and my friends have used this system with their children.  The system is called “Potty Points”.  This is how the Potty Points system works.  Every time your child goes to the potty they get 1 point for pee and 2 points for poo.  Once the child is done you give them their point or points they have earned and they place it in their potty point box.  The child does have the option of using their potty points.  I never let my child get over 3 points at a time.  The reason I say nothing over 3 you do not want them accumulating too many points to where there is no incentive to go to the potty.  Everything needs to be very simple because a child that is potty training age will not be able to understand the system if it gets too complicated.  You will have a poster board with what they get and how many points it cost.  Let me show you an example

1. Sticker – 1 Point
2. Play outside for 15 minutes – 2 points
3. Watch TV for 15 minutes – 2 points
4. Special snack – 2 points

Now you get the idea of how they can spend their points and what you may want to include on your board.  The amazing part of this system is the kids begin to focus a lot on getting points and going to the potty to where going to the potty becomes natural. 

Let me give you a run down on what you will need, and how to create you Potty Point system.  It is fairly simple. 

Here is what you will need

1. 2 Poster boards
2. Shoebox
3. Washable markers
4. Scissors
5. Construction paper
6. Ruler
7. Pencil
8. Glue
9. Tape

    Next I want to show you how to make the points.  Get your poster board, ruler and pencil.  Now take your ruler and draw out 10 2 ½ inch wide by 3 ½ inch long rectangles. Next you can cut out your 10 rectangles.  Tip: You can trace a regular size playing card instead of measuring out with a ruler.  We will come back to the points once we are ready to decorate.

    We will now move onto our Potty Point box.  Get your shoebox, ruler, and scissors.  Next you will take the shoebox lid and measure with your ruler and cut a slot in the top of it 3 inches long by ½ inch wide.  We need the slot big enough for the cards to go into, you can adjust that size if you like.

     You are now done with all of the cutting and measuring.  It is now time to call the kiddo in to help decorate their box and write numbers.  I know kids that are potty training age are pretty wild and will not be able to write very well or glue anything but it is just important to include them in on the making of the box.  Now get the construction paper and glue next cover the box with whatever color or colors the child likes or grunts at.  

     Okay now that we have the box covered with paper, it is now time to get the washable markers and let the child decorate their box.  I know this step can be a bit messy but it is worth it.  The next step will be to write the number one on the ten cards we cut out earlier.  I would take the child’s hand and help them write the number one on all ten cards.  I have always used just the number one because we are just doing points but you can adjust this step however you like.

     Alright now let’s take the other poster board and a washable marker this is where you are going to write down what the child can get and how many points it will cost.  I gave you an example earlier and some ideas of what you can put on your board.  You can be extremely creative with this.  But just remember keep it simple.  I would not have to many things that are one point because from experience with my kids it is better to have them save up for something else and kids that age will use their points every time they go to the potty. 

     I am so happy to be sharing this information with other parents.  This system is a lot fun and is customizable.  Just remember every child is different and will do things in their own time. With some encouragement from you they will be going to the potty on their own in no time. 

By:  Jennifer Haskett