Paying the Piper

After exactly four weeks of consistent potty use, it was time to pay up.

Sticker-filled potty paper

The deal was that if Punky filled her potty paper with stickers, she could get anything she wanted at the toy store.  And if you remember, she completely out-smarted me and chose something expensive.

She worked hard for it.  She earned it.  She deserves it.  And a deal's a deal.  

In all honesty, I wish she would've chosen something else.  With the holidays quickly approaching and our financial situation a bit rocky, it was a large chunk of cash to spend right now.  Plus, this isn't exactly the best time of year for an outside toy.  She'll probably only get to use it a few times before it's locked away until spring.  

But, as I said before, I couldn't change the rules after I put the offer on the table.  I want Punky to trust me.  I want her to understand the process of setting goals, working hard, and enjoying the reward for a job well done.  And I want her to believe what I say.  That will come in handy years down the road when we face the heavy issues like peer pressure, dating, alcohol, and drugs.  When I tell her I'll know if she kisses a boy because her nose will turn purple, I want her to believe it, dammit.

Punky's stylin' smart-car

It took her dad a few hours to assemble it while she danced around in circles and tried to help.  The battery needs to charge overnight before she can really use it, but this evening she was perfectly content playing with it in the living room.  She'll be counting the hours tomorrow until her dad comes home from work to carry it outside and hook up the battery.  I just hope she steers it better than she did her bike this summer.  It's more expensive and much easier to break.