Potty Training Update

I knew that I shouldn't post about how good Zoey was doing on her potty training. The next day she didn't go in the potty once. By the end of the day I was so frustrated I was ready to scream and just put her back into a diaper. But I had told myself that I would stick it out until Saturday and see how she was doing then, so I had to re-evaluate and find something new to try. I thought she could do it because she had done so well on Monday. I finally decided that I was not above bribery. I started with stickers. I made a chart and every time she was dry for an hour, she would get a sticker. And every time she went potty, she would get another sticker. We hung the charts on the wall and explained what was going on. She was excited and would stay dry, but wouldn't go to the bathroom. So, I decided to up the prize. We added candy. Nathan got some peanut butter M&M's and we started the "potty candy jar." She started going potty, but it didn't seem to bother her much if she had an accident. Then I decided that if I had to clean up the accident, I got her candy she would have received if she'd gone in the potty. She didn't like that very much. On Thursday, she did great all day. She didn't go potty a whole lot, but she would if I showed her the potty candy and reminded her, but she did stay dry until dinner time. That's always the hardest time. She had a few accidents, but rallied before bed and went in the potty again. Friday I wasn't sure what to do. I didn't want to always have to remind her to stay dry, but I didn't want her to keep having accidents, either. I was up in my bedroom and Owen's bedroom is down a few steps from mine. They were playing in Owen's bedroom and I heard Zoey say, "Bubba, I go pee pee a potty!" I thought I'd missed my chance, but I saw her running down the hall. She went in and went all by herself. I was so proud of her. She did great all day yesterday. Today has been a little more of a struggle. She's gone a little bit, but has had a few accidents. The first one was when we were outside checking the animals and I think she's just not used to being outside and having to remember to go potty. I'm hoping today's not a total setback. It's the day I decided to go for and now I know she can do it. Here's hoping she keeps being good.