I'm on to you, sister!

Gigi is ready to be potty-trained.

How do I know?

Clue #1 - can undress herself.
Clue #2 - hates wet and poopy diapers.
Clue #3 - took off diaper in crib at naptime. Started screaming. Little bit wet sheet. Took her to potty and she went.

Probably not coincidental that we bought stickers just a few hours ago to use as a reward!? We can't use M&Ms around here. A bag wouldn't last very long with 3 siblings and prove too much a temptation for Mom & Dad. However, what self-respecting 11, 9 or 6 yr old want to parade around with Barney stickers?!

Persuasion, thy name is ELMO!

For Christmas Gigi received a Potty with Elmo book and a Potty time Elmo DVD. In case you haven't guessed, she had an ELMO fetish. We are very hopeful that she will be interested and sit still long enough very soon. Wouldn't it be glorious to use the money spent on diapers on something else?!!

So, on Sunday we sat down to watch the DVD and my other children (10,8, and 6) gravitate into the room. We watch Elmo and his friends sing about potties, sing about washing their hands, etc. for 40 minutes or so.

About 10 minutes in, hubby had to use the "potty".
At minute 15 or so, the boy and NiNi have to go!
At minute 25, Sha Sha makes a trip to the facilities and finally, I succumb and make my trip to the restroom.

The only one to not use the potty was Gigi.

I am hoping the "suggestions" in the video rub off on her too, but just in case I think I'll stay near the restroom too.

(Limited) Success!

I'll spare you the pictures, and I know I am probably speaking WAY too soon, but Gigi pooped in the potty last night! Yea!!!!

I guess I need to get busy and actually work with her. I've never had a child do this first and not pee......

But of course, every time you think you have something figured out, a child surprises you! That's the life of a parent!

Potty success?

GiGi is sitting on the potty some and asking to be changed right after she goes. I am hoping that is a good sign.

She has even filled the potty once.




No - her urine has not turned pink - that is the whole bottle of strawberry shampoo that she dumped in the potty on Saturday. It was all over her and the floor too. Boy do tile floors get slippery when covered in shampoo.

Upside - She knows to fill the potty with something - just not the right thing - AND the potty smells like strawberries!

POTTY TIME!!

Gigi went with us to purchase her first potty today. She loves it.

Of course not to sit on. Standing IN it is her favorite activity.....

Each of our kids has had a "Bribery" technique that has worked for them. Often we have had to try several different techniques before finding what worked with each specific child.

The first was easy. Reading a book or singing 10 little Indians (I never claimed it was a PC technique.)

The second was a rendition of "Oh, happy day!" that Daddy had a special knack for!

The third was McDonald's coupons.

I'm kind of hoping the 4th will settle for good old M&Ms and a rendition of "My girl wants to Potty all the time, potty all the time, potty all the TIIIIME!"

I'll let you know....