The Big Potty

Brianna has been doing really well at the potty training thing lately. (Much to my huge relief and joy in light of my having new tiny buns to diaper arriving this summer.) She's been using her little potty chair for a few weeks now and the last week or so she's also been using the big people potty too. Daddy showed her how she can use her little lid to make it all comfy for a small person so she won't fall in. And, with a stepping stool nearbye she can even go in there, put the lid on the big potty, pull her own pants down, get on and go all without any help. (Although one time she forgot to put the cover on and DID fall in...) She will go both kinds of potty in there...with some bribery of the possibility of a little treat or toy afterwards that is. (Hey, whatever works right?) Actually the "reward" system for this whole potty training thing has gotten a bit complex at my house since Brianna is turning out to be quite the little negotiator. EVERY time she goes potty we have to have a 5 minute bicker session like this:

"Mom, I went poo! You're so proud of me! I get a huh-prise! (surprise)"
"Good job! Great work! Okay let's pick a surprise out."
"Mom, two huh-prises?"
"No, just one."
"Mom, two little ones?"
"Okay two little ones or one big one."
"Mom, three?"
"No, definitely not. Now pick out a potty surprise for doing such a great job!"

This conversation is usually followed by a five minute indecision hovering session over the prize bin since she is more motivated when she gets to choose her own little surprise (as opposed to the easy way of me grabbing something and handing it to her). So, she'll grab something, stare at it a second, throw it back in and grab something new. This is a delicate moment since if you as the parent try to rush the important potty surprise picking moment then she has a meltdown. Finally we have to say, "Pick one! Quick! Decide, we're gonna put the bin back away." After a bribe, er surprise has FINALLY been picked comes the part where we stick a sticker on her potty chart.

"Mom, two stickers?"

and round we go again.....