Inside: How praise can backfire in potty training and what kind of praise works best in potty training toddlers. This content contains affiliate links. As a follow-the-rules kid who worked hard for my grades (nerding out with self-made flashcards and highlighted outlines back in high school), the most satisfying part of receiving an A was not seeing the letter grade. It was hearing what my parents would say. Spouses seek praise from one another. Employees look to hear they di