Ryan Names His Price

Ryan took his own sweet time adjusting to life without diapers. I tried all manner of 'programs', read him books, offered stickers, candy, his choice of prizes... nothing seemed to sway him despite his obvious readiness for the task.

One night, during a stretch of my husband's travel (meaning I'd been playing single parent and was particularly overtaxed), I saw Ryan exhibiting the obvious signs of needing to go to the bathroom. Desperately not wanting to have to change a stinky pullup at bedtime (well, way past bedtime, but that's another story), I encouraged, begged, cajoled, and eventually tried to bribe him to sit on the potty.

"Ryan," I whined, "I'll give you a dollar if you use the potty!"

Without blinking an eye, without pausing to think about it, my little 3 1/2 year old looked up at me and answered,

"I'll give you two if you leave me alone."

I tell you this 'old' story now, because last night he slept the whole night in his own bed in his own room. It cost my husband a five-spot.

We are so screwed.