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Life Notes: If All Else Fails Try A Rubber Chickenby Gary Rambin, MSW If you are a parent you know the drill when it comes to potty training your child. In our case it was our child potty training my wife and I. We did everything by the book. We read all the books - and I do mean all the books. From "Potty Training and Me", to "My Bun and Me". We read all the books, some even twice. We then read them to our daughter. Hey I don't know about you, but one good potty book and I was fast asleep. My wife Aimee purchases my daughter a small potty of her own. It was blue and white and very pretty according to my wife. My wife Aimee got my daughter to sit on the potty, my daughter gave it a name and it became one of her toys. We attempted to explain that she could not use the potty for her tea parties, but my daughter had different plans for her pretty potty other then the potty's original use. Hallie used the potty as a ladder to reach objects in the bathroom she could not reach, hide candy in it - well I think it was candy - I sure hope it was candy, anyway. The potty soon became her favorite toy. We continued to read the books, encourage Hallie to use the potty for its special purpose in life. None of these strategies seemed to work. We talked to our Pediatrician, and nurse, they gave us advice and we would try it with no success. We finally used a reward system. When Hallie would do number one, yes that is the politically correct term - number one; she could pick a prize we had in a big jar. We put all types of small toys; candy, jewelry; and various other items in the jar. When Hallie used the potty she would earn a prize. Hallie progressed from the jar to stickers. Hallie went from daily rewards to receiving rewards at the end of the week. Hallie could cash her stickers in for a big prize at the end of each week. This worked so well I joined in and got a bag full of candy. I did not have any problem going to the potty. I had trouble hitting the potty, so my wife put me on a token system as well. This program worked so well Hallie soon did not need any reinforcement to go to the potty. Then our next problem emerged. Hallie would not use number two in the potty. Once again I'm using the politically correct term number two. Hallie was the best with number one; she would even use the big potty. We once again attempted everything, but we had no success. We tried the same reward system that worked with number one, but with no results. We upped the stakes and informed Hallie if she did number two, she would earn a video of her favorite movie which was "Dora The Explorer". Man, I really like swiper the fox - he is my favorite, I love calling out "swiper no swiping" - let me get back on track. This did not work. We talked to friends and got advice. We tried everything, but still no number two. When Hallie would have to use number two, she would take off her underwear and put on the diaper, go and hide and do number two in her diaper. This went on for months and months and months. We upped the stakes once again and told Hallie if she did number two in the potty we would take her to Chucky Cheese she smiled and said "no thanks". She informed me if I went and did number two I could win the whole family a trip to Chucky Cheese. I almost went and did it for the team. We tried everything and it seemed forever. Then one day a miracle happened. My wife and daughter where in WalMart and my daughter wanted a rubber chicken, a small ugly featherless rubber chicken. My wife did not get the rubber chicken for her. Once they were home Aimee informed Hallie if she did number two on the potty she would get the rubber chicken. My wife made this comment in a joking manner. Hallie looked at her mother and said "OK, I really want the rubber chicken." Hallie ran to the bathroom and did number two. We all came to view the prize in the potty and it was just beautiful, if I have to say so myself, it was one of the best I have ever seen and I'm not saying that because she is my daughter - it was a true work of art. After that day there was no question she was my daughter. On April 27, 2003 at 8:45pm Hallie received her rubber chicken. As soon as she got off the potty she was taken straight to WalMart to get her prize. Still today we are enjoying great success with Hallie and the potty. We had to take out a small loan to keep up with the reward program, but we sure are saving a lot of money by not buying diapers. So to you parents out there, keep trying and remember if all else fails - get a rubber chicken. My next project will be raising enough money to send Hallie to therapy when she grows up and become aware that I informed the entire town of Ruston about her potty training experience. Life Notes: Complete List 2004 2003 The Life Notes articles are written by staff of Louisiana Methodist Children's Home and are published in The Ruston Daily Leader. | |||
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