The Negotiator

We use an incentive to motivate Nora to go to the bathroom on the potty, a pair of princess pajamas. All day today she had not used her diaper and was getting ready for bed when Spencer asked her if she wanted to go on the potty. This is how it went, Spencer said, "Nora, will you please go potty on the toilet before you go to bed?" Nora, "I don't want to go on the potty." Spencer pretending to be sad said, "That makes Dada so sad, don't you want to wear your princess pajamas?" Nora said, "I don't want to." Spencer said, "Just go on the potty for one minute." Nora holding up one finger and looking Spencer in the eye said, "I go on potty, I get candy, o' right?" To which Spencer readily agreed. As you can see our little negotiator got what she wanted.

Park Perfect

Nora loves going to the park for many reasons, the slides, wiggley bridges, open running spaces, a place to meet new friends and if Grandma takes her then it can't get any better. Today she had that blissful time away from parents with Grandma. There is though one of those favorite 'reasons' of Nora's that brings great concern to my husband and I. From all the excitement of the park Nora tends to like to find a secluded spot in the maze of bright colored jungle gym and do her duty. This always leads to frustration on our part and a park visit cut short which doesn't make Nora happy. We ventured today and let her go to the park in underwear attempting to help her on the pathway of potty training. There were no accidents. Success. Now we just need her to not hold it in while she's on the potty! Arghhh. I'm hoping this is short lived.