Savannah's Weblog

We finally let her cry it out, this business of "I gotta go potty." until we say it's ok. The next night she started up again, but it didn't last. She just got up and went, although she'd just been. So it worked. She understands now that if she needs to go, she doesn't have to ask. She just goes. There's still a lot of confusion in the middle of the night when she's not fully awake.

The real issue has always really been about getting more attention and staying up later. She recently started saying very pitifully, "I need you." which just took the place of "I gotta go potty." So three nights ago she ran back and forth from the stairs to her room for two hours. I finally went up, not because I was giving in, but to tell her that if she didn't stop, she'd be in trouble. She went to sleep, naturally, because she'd gotten me up there one more time. That usually works.

The real test was the next night. I repeated the threat. I was not angry but very matter of fact. She believed me. It was so nice to give her a way out of it. She didn't wanna be in trouble. I could tell, so I said just don't do it Savannah. I hope she remembers that when she's older. If she doesn't want to suffer God's consequences, don't make those mistakes. She started up when I left but quickly stopped.

She didn't even get back up to run to the potty. The next night I repeated the threat, and again, she went right off to sleep. Each morning I've told her how proud I am of her that she went to sleep so well.