🚽Potty Training Hero
They had three dry days. Then an accident in the supermarket. Now they don't want to try. You know they can do it — they just need to believe it too.
What's actually happening
Most children are physiologically ready for toilet training between 18 and 30 months, but readiness varies widely. Brazelton et al. (1999) found that a child-oriented approach — waiting for signs of readiness rather than pushing to a schedule — resulted in fewer toileting problems and less parent–child conflict. The average age of completion in Western countries is now 36 months, up from 18 months in the 1950s (Schum et al., 2002). Setbacks are normal: around 80% of children experience at least one regression during training. Shame and pressure are the two biggest risk factors for prolonged difficulty (Stadtler et al., 1999).
What parents usually try
Reward charts and treats
External rewards can create performance anxiety. Foxx & Azrin (1973) found that praise for effort (not just success) produced more lasting results than tangible rewards.
Comparing to other children
"Your cousin was trained at 2" adds pressure without information. Children's bladder control develops on individual timelines (Schum et al., 2002).
Showing frustration at accidents
Even subtle disappointment registers. Stadtler et al. (1999) linked parental negative reactions to increased resistance and longer training duration.
What actually helps
Bibliotherapy works here because the child isn't being instructed — they're watching a character go through the same experience. Shechtman (2009) identified three mechanisms: identification (seeing yourself in the character), catharsis (experiencing the emotion safely), and insight (discovering a new perspective). When the story character has an accident and responds calmly, your child absorbs a model for handling setbacks without the pressure of direct instruction. The story normalises the experience — 'this happens to everyone' — which is exactly what Brazelton's child-oriented approach recommends.
How this story works
Bibliotherapy uses stories to normalise what kids are going through. Instead of instruction, the story models the experience — accidents included — so your child sees that setbacks are part of learning.
What your child hears
Your child hears a story where a character just like them learns to listen to their body. There's an accident — handled calmly, without shame. Then a moment of trying again, and the quiet pride of getting it right.
When to use this story
During active toilet training, as a daily or every-other-day story
After an accident, to reset without shame
When your child is resisting or refusing to try
Before starting training, to introduce the concept gently
When transitioning from pull-ups to underwear
After the story
The story is the beginning. Here's how to keep it going:
“How did the character feel?”
“What did they do when they needed to go?”
“What makes you feel brave?”
Try this
Create a potty chart with stickers
The research behind this approach(show)
Therapeutic stories for life transitions like potty training, school anxiety, and new siblings.
- Shechtman, Z. (2009). Treating Child and Adolescent Aggression Through Bibliotherapy. Springer.
- Pardeck, J. T. (1994). Using literature to help adolescents cope with problems. Adolescence.
- Heath, M. A., et al. (2005). Bibliotherapy: A resource to facilitate emotional healing. School Psychology International.