Okay, so I am wondering if there are any of you out there who are either going through the same struggle I am right now; or have gone through this struggle. The big struggle of potty training. With my first two kids, it was fairly simple. My third daughter is really putting up a fight. I have used bribery with a sticker chart, toys, candy (the good ones, like chocolate), and much praise. I have yet to find what works for this little girl. She goes through spurts where she will do it for a day or two and then she stops for weeks to months. I am so ready to get her out of diapers. Her third birthday is next month. My other girls were potty trained by the time they were two.
I keep asking myself what it is I am supposed to be learning from this experience with her so we can get beyond it. She has thrown out all the rules to parenting that I have used on my first two. What works for both of them, does not work for her. It is almost as if we are brand new parents all over again, just testing out different theories and methods to teach her. It is a good thing we have her, she definitely keeps things interesting for us. Every day is a new experience.
If there is one thing I admire about this little one... it would be the compassion she has toward others. If anyone gets hurt, if she hears a child crying, even if I burn my hand on a warm plate; she is the first one to acknowledge it and offer her sympathies.
The other night as I was tucking her in we went through our nightly routine: brush teeth and hair, read a book, say prayers, and then (my favorite part) I sing "I Am a Child of God" at her request. As I was singing to her she held my face close to hers. She began stroking my hair and running her fingers over my face, ever so gently. As I closed the song she looked me square in the eyes and said, "Mommy, I love your face". Then she wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a tight squeeze. She then told me, "Love you too, Mommy". It was at that very moment as I expressed my love for her that I realized that is what it is all about. Family is what matters most. There is no greater force than love.
So I pose this question... How can I use this magnificent force of love to potty train my compassionate, powerful little toddler? If you have any ideas that have worked for you... I AM OPEN!
3 comments:
Mmmmm, I'm no help here. Isn't it funny how different each child is. Savannah was a breeze to train and Eliza is already asking about the "pobby". Zach though, well,he picks and chooses which days he would like to be potty trained and which days he would not. Hate that.
Wow Dani! I'm impressed with your blogging skills!! Good job! And I definitely need some help potty training too!
I have no advice on the potty training, but I loved the story of bedtime. Very sweet! Those are the moments we need to keep going when we feel like parenting is a bit more than we can handle. You can do it!
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