I was sharing this story with some friends over cocktails recently and had them laughing hysterically.  It was either too many cocktails, we don’t get out much or truly funny.

A few months ago Katherine woke up in the middle of the night.  In usual form, I pick her up, hug her and check her diaper.  All good, so I lay her back down and leave the room. 

Minutes later she is crying again so I dish out another hug and lay her back down.  I think we went back and forth like this for half an hour.  On the verge of feeling frustrated and a sense of failure I said to her, “Mommy has to go potty.  Can I go potty?”  She shook her head yes, I hugged her; she laid down and went to sleep. 

There are times when I have to go potty doesn’t work immediately and I add in, “You don’t want mommy to tee tee in her panties.”

All I am saying is CRAZY!  Never underestimate what might work or the power of your creativity.  This now works for us on a regular basis.  I don’t mean to brag because at any moment now it will stop working (like tonight), but for now it works and I’m going with it.  I’m doing my happy dance as I type this.  It is so great!

Yours may not be potty.  Maybe you need to check on the dogs or the stars and moon.

Go ahead. Give it a try.  You might be surprised what will work.

On a side note, most of the time I do go potty so I am telling the truth. 

When you are on the verge of giving up, just try something…anything.

And now back to the trial and errors of parenting.