When we were potty training our first child we fell into the trap of offering him a toy as a reward to motivate him to use the toilet. This quickly became an untenable strategy; we are made of neither toys nor money. The boy had to learn a hard lesson about terms being subject to change without notice. It’s like when the cable company made you get a separate tuner box for each TV, advising you not to worry because you were not being charged for the extra boxes, and a few years later you find yourself paying $6/month/box. Potty training is good practice for dealing with the cable company.
Now, well into potty training the third child, we have lowered our game. This boy scored a few jelly beans or a tiny Tootsie Roll for doing the right thing. Using the potty is becoming routine for him, which means earning a candy reward for each occurrence has become unsustainable. It’s not that we’re yanking away his reward; we’re helping him realize using the potty is its own reward. If you think this is parental double talk, try pooping your pants at your next social gathering. The privilege of using a toilet beats three jelly beans any day.
Rewards should be reserved for accomplishments that are challenging. Remembering to go to the potty is no longer challenging for Big Man. It is nothing compared to the formidable challenge of keeping his thumb out of his mouth. He sucks his thumb when he’s tired or anxious. It looked like he was kicking the habit, but the stress of potty training must have made him fall off the wagon.
In the olden days, Big Brother adored his pacifier. It was a relatively easy addiction to break. The pacifier magically got lost one day. That was the end of that. I’m not sure I’m ready for Big Man to lose his thumb, so we’re working on other ideas.
Winding down with a good movie and a little snack.
The other day, he was incessantly reminding me he was due some candy for his pottying exploits. I explained that this was an obsolete reward system and then I made him a new offer. He would earn a piece of candy if he went the entire afternoon without putting his thumb in his mouth.
I didn’t think he could do it. We had to drive to pick up his brothers. The car makes him sleepy, and that’s when the thumb goes in.
He didn’t get sleepy that day. He kept himself awake the entire trip by chanting, “I want candy!” at me from his car seat of whininess. Annoying? Yes. That was an added benefit to him. Annoyance is the smallest wage I deserve for my duplicity.
He earned his candy. And then he felt free to suck his thumb. As extra tired as he was, he couldn’t stop himself. He’d missed his car nap after all.
Snoozing on the Sofa 
It sounds like these little genius’ have you over a barrel, outwitted or both..
If I had two middle names they’d be outwitted and over a barrel.
Ha! Where does Snoozing on the Sofa fit in?
That’s just a hobby.
Like scotch.
No. That’s a religion.
So for Sundays only..
Sundays, yes. And whenever else the spirit touches me.
Ha!
Oh man, these kids are so on to you!
Having children was my downfall as a parent.
Payback is coming! It’s a few years away, but trust me, it’s coming!
Should I live to see it.
Exactly!
Uh oh, this kid is SMART.
They’re all too smart for me.
My brother was a thumb sucker. Nothing…not pepper paint, not gloves, not wire wrap, nor treats worked. He quit when he was ready. Big Man will be ready no later than his first date.
I hope so. Otherwise, his date is going to have to bring jelly beans to the movies.
I get it. We have four kids with three being 20 year old triplets. I remember it all so well. I love hearing it from the dad’s point of view. I’ve encouraged my husband to do the same as you. Maybe one day. I recall putting targets in the potty for our two boys to aim for and they are very neat pottiers to this day.
We have one who needed an enemy ship made of toilet paper to sink every time he went pee.
Love it.
Geeze, you gotta be a genius to figure out parenting techniques these days. SO enjoyed this story, Scott. Thank you! 💞🌹💝
Which may be why I haven’t figured them out.
😂
He’s got you good. Sucking his thumb after getting his candy….hahahahaha. I love that kid!
Give him some candy and he’ll love you too.
where do I sent it?
Give it to the Easter Bunny. He knows how to get it here.