Our little negotiator

We started a small toy bucket that comes out when Owen goes pooh on the potty. He gets to pick one thing out of it. There is everything from crayons to chocolate, small puzzles to a small book in there. This little incentive backfired on us about 10 days ago. Owen started wanting to go to the potty to go pooh ALL THE TIME! He would throw a fit if we told him he had just gone and that he was fine. When he did sit on the potty, he'd strain, push, grunt, hold his breath, turn red in the face and finally stand up and say he went. Sure enough there would be something in the potty. At his request, out came the toy bucket. Then one day last week, school called and said Owen had a deep dark rash on his face and it had spread to his neck and back. Mommy was out of town for work, so Daddy went to pick him up and take him to see Dr. Falik. Owen was diagnosed with having Petechia. Basically, he was bursting small blood vessels under the skin while straining on the potty.

SO...we had to change our tactic a little bit. Now, the toy bucket can only come out once in the morning and once in the evening. If he does go pooh on the potty another time, we have promised Owen that he can have a Skittle. The other night, Owen had chosen his toy from the bucket as a reward and then proceeded to go pooh again later in the evening. Here was the conversation between Owen and Daddy:

Daddy: Yeah Owen! I am so proud of you for going poopy on the potty!
Owen: Yeah Owen! I want something from the toy bucket.
Daddy: No, buddy. You already got something from the toy bucket tonight. I can get you a Skittle.
Owen: One Skittle?
Daddy: Yes, one Skittle. What color do you want?
Owen: I want two Skittles.
Daddy: No, I am just going to get you one Skittle. What color?
Owen: I want three Skittles.
Daddy: No, just one.
Owen: OK, just one, but I get to pick it out.
Daddy: OK (with a smile).

Aim high, settle for a bonus.