# Chateau de la Tobler

## Tuesday, June 02, 2009

### Potty-training, puppy-style

Most of you know that we have been having a rather difficult time potty-training Mercy. She was potty-trained for about a week in February, but then I guess she decided that it was too much work or something, because she has reverted back completely.
When she was at the doctor for her 4-year-old checkup, we had him check her out to see if there was anything obviously wrong with her physically. Turns out she's just fine, so the doctor gave us some suggestions and basically said, "Good luck." With potty-training, the child is in complete control, so she's going to have to want to do it before it will happen.
Well, naturally, Mercy can't go to preschool this summer if she is still in diapers. Preschool is T-minus 20 days away, and decision time approaches. This morning Bradley suggested something--why don't we treat Mercy like a puppy? Take off the shorts, take off the diaper, and make her stay on the tile/wood floors until she gets it.
And so day one of puppy-training Mercy begins. We've had one success already (yay). She's a trifle displeased about not being able to go in the family room, but since they lost the privilege of playing with most of their toys on Saturday (long story), there isn't as much to do in there as there was before. And with the kitchen Mac, she can watch WonderPets and Backyardigans and Dora to her hearts content. Additionally, I bought Capri-Suns yesterday, so I'm letting them have several in the hopes that it will encourage Mercy to need the toilet more often.
Wish us luck. It looks to be a long couple of days, but if she can just GET IT, then she will have preschool and I will have some lovely mornings with just the two little boys. Sounds magical to me!

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