Potty Payola

Dear Hagen,

When your sister turned 2, we decided we would start the potty-training process. For a year, we bribed her with M&Ms, made up songs about how AWESOME it is to use the potty, and did lots and lots and lots of laundry. Then, the day before she turned 3, she shrugged and decided she'd had enough of wet pants and started using the potty. No accidents, no looking back. 

With you, we decided not to work so hard and just let you get around to it when you were ready. But your third birthday came and went and you showed no signs of interest. 

Your preschool was closed for Spring Break a few weeks ago. Laney went to camp at the Y. You and your best friend Finley were too little to attend camp, so Finley's mom and I decided to hire one of your teachers from school to watch you and Finley at Finley's house for the week. Finley's mom told me that your teacher - Miss Jenn - was known as "The Potty Whisperer," and had trained more kids than anyone Finley's mom had ever known. 

I am not proud of this next part:

After writing Miss Jenn a check for her services for the week, I said, "If Hagen is potty-trained by the end of the week, I'll give you an extra hundred dollars cash money." I was kinda joking, but Miss Jenn said she was ON IT. And she was. 

Basically, if anyone asks you what you did for Spring Break, you can tell them you went to potty camp. Miss Jenn had you and Finley on matching potty chairs every half hour all week long. If you used the potty, she gave you an animal cracker and made the sound of the animal on the cracker.

About halfway through the week, you really got the hang of it. By the end of the week, you were potty trained.

Best money I ever spent. 

Love,

Mom