Praise for Mommy

I had her trained.  I had Hailley going to the bathroom all on her own.  It was marvelous, stupendous, thrilling!  She was performing beautifully: going, wiping, emptying the potty, the whole works.  And then.. Hailley had a toddler moment, and realized that she didn't want to continue going potty in her little princess potty chair. 

It all went downhill from that moment.  My husband Blake and I quickly learned that we couldn't make her go, and so therefore potty time became optional for Hailley.  For her that meant she was not going to go anymore at all.  This was a devastating backslide for the person who had to change her (ME!) but what could I do? 

 I decided to invite her into the bathroom when I needed to use it, just to see if she would regain her interest and excitement over being "a big girl".  What, you may ask, were the results of this action?  Hailley praised me for going potty.  She cheered me on, examined the toilet to see what I did, and even gave me high fives for my achievements! 
I couldn't believe it.  I suppose I can at least be grateful she knows that using the toilet is a good thing, and I know she will be using one herself before she starts preschool. 

Hailley: 1      Mommy: 0