Simple Solutions
The other day I was facing down a potty trained 3 year old. The problem in front of me seemed as insurmountable as only a 3 year old can seem.
Hands on hips, serious face. "I want a star potty chair." This from a little one who was potty trained on the "big potty" starting around 18 months old and has only ever used a "big potty" ("potty chairs for babies, I big girl"coming from her lips not long after the potty training adventure began).
This defiance from a little one who has been scorning recently even the insert that keeps her from getting her little bum wet on the "big potty" should she slip backwards.
"I want a star potty chair." Feet firmly planted slightly apart on the ground....hands on hips... a serious but not bratty look on her face.
What has brought on this new heart's desire?
She picks up a book about potty training that has been dumped neglected in the basket for months. Turning the pages she finds what she means. Little finger sticking out from a hand that I notice has started to lose its baby chubbiness, she points to a picture. A small green potty chair with a blue star on its lid. "I want a star potty chair."
As she turns the pages the demands increase. "I want a princess potty chair." "I want a red potty." And I begin to think about pulling out my hair wondering what has started these demands....wondering when they will end.
"I am not buying a star potty chair for a potty trained 3 year old!" That is what I was thinking at that moment. And then the moment passes. "Ahhh...good..."the passing whims of a 3 year old, I think. Until later that day....in the bathroom...."I want a star potty"...said even as she uses the "big potty".
It is a small thing but I am feeling exasperated as only a 3 year old can make me feel. "Star potty, eh?" "you would like a star potty" my mind is thinking this even as I consider how ridiculous this seemed when for the third time that day she brings it up.
And suddenly it hits me....if it is a star potty you would like, maybe a star potty I can give you. Hurriedly I draw a blue star in the center of a white sheet of paper. Almost scribbling I color it in. And with my own defiance, my own determination, I walk to the bathroom, clear tape and blue star drawing in hand. And with a florish I taped that blue star drawing onto the tank of the toilet. "Voila! star potty you desired....star potty you shall have."
I was rewarded with the smile from an angel. In one instant I went from frustration to solution! Before as I argued with myself that I would not give in to this seemingly ridiculous demand there was no solution that did not include a few tears and some disappointment.....now suddenly I had a simple solution!
A simple solution! Imagine that...and one that satisfied both of us.
Today I noticed the blue star drawing still taped onto the back of the toilet and I smiled.
Simple solutions
Hands on hips, serious face. "I want a star potty chair." This from a little one who was potty trained on the "big potty" starting around 18 months old and has only ever used a "big potty" ("potty chairs for babies, I big girl"coming from her lips not long after the potty training adventure began).
This defiance from a little one who has been scorning recently even the insert that keeps her from getting her little bum wet on the "big potty" should she slip backwards.
"I want a star potty chair." Feet firmly planted slightly apart on the ground....hands on hips... a serious but not bratty look on her face.
What has brought on this new heart's desire?
She picks up a book about potty training that has been dumped neglected in the basket for months. Turning the pages she finds what she means. Little finger sticking out from a hand that I notice has started to lose its baby chubbiness, she points to a picture. A small green potty chair with a blue star on its lid. "I want a star potty chair."
As she turns the pages the demands increase. "I want a princess potty chair." "I want a red potty." And I begin to think about pulling out my hair wondering what has started these demands....wondering when they will end.
"I am not buying a star potty chair for a potty trained 3 year old!" That is what I was thinking at that moment. And then the moment passes. "Ahhh...good..."the passing whims of a 3 year old, I think. Until later that day....in the bathroom...."I want a star potty"...said even as she uses the "big potty".
It is a small thing but I am feeling exasperated as only a 3 year old can make me feel. "Star potty, eh?" "you would like a star potty" my mind is thinking this even as I consider how ridiculous this seemed when for the third time that day she brings it up.
And suddenly it hits me....if it is a star potty you would like, maybe a star potty I can give you. Hurriedly I draw a blue star in the center of a white sheet of paper. Almost scribbling I color it in. And with my own defiance, my own determination, I walk to the bathroom, clear tape and blue star drawing in hand. And with a florish I taped that blue star drawing onto the tank of the toilet. "Voila! star potty you desired....star potty you shall have."
I was rewarded with the smile from an angel. In one instant I went from frustration to solution! Before as I argued with myself that I would not give in to this seemingly ridiculous demand there was no solution that did not include a few tears and some disappointment.....now suddenly I had a simple solution!
A simple solution! Imagine that...and one that satisfied both of us.
Today I noticed the blue star drawing still taped onto the back of the toilet and I smiled.
Simple solutions
posted by Erika at
6:36 PM
2 Comments:
Isn't it funny that the simple solutions are often the ones that it takes us the longest to find? I'm glad it all worked out though. Hope today is smoother- or as smooth as it cna be with kids.
By
Sand in her shoes, at 9:57 AM
Hmmm...there is a very big lesson in here. There is always a way to work things out! And you were the star of the show when you did! Susan
By
Anonymous, at 7:18 PM
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