We have had virtually no success this week. In fact, things got worse.
Gabe went from 0-1 accidents at school to 3 a day. He refused to use the potty all weekend, and I didn’t want to force him because everything I’ve read and heard says that forcing makes things worse. However, I started to notice this morning that he no longer cared when he peed on the floor. When he would, he tell me he had and continued on playing. I was at a complete loss as to what to do.
I had a Stella & Dot trunk show this afternoon, and when I returned, I learned that Shawn had zero success either. Even he was getting frustrated, and he’s ungodly patient. So something in me snapped as I was watching Gabe throw a fit about having to use the potty and promptly peed on the floor. I sat down with him and explained that every time he peed on the floor instead of the potty, not only would that mean that he wouldn’t get M&Ms, but I was going to take away one of his trains. If he peed in the potty, he would get a train back.
He laughed it off until he saw me dig through his trains and take Percy away. I explained that he would get Percy back if he peed in the potty. If he peed on the floor without trying to go on the potty, he would lose another train.
Well, he really wants Percy back. He tried to go potty twice before I got him ready for bed. He had no success, but at least it seems that I’m getting through to him that peeing in our pants is not acceptable.
I didn’t want to go the negative punishment route, but when positive and negative reinforcement failed, it was time to go for the jugular. I wonder how many trains Gabe will have left by the end of the week.
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