Stories we Tell Scene 183

When Jordan got home that afternoon, she spent some quality time with her siblings and actually offered to help her mom with some cleanup around the house. The affection she had felt the previous night from her mother had gone a long way – and besides, her story was done and there were no new projects on the horizon for the moment. The four girls spent the bulk of the evening watching movies, eating popcorn, and playing on the floor together. It was divine.

Before long, bedtime approached for Jen and not long after, it came for Mindi. Jordan and her mom stayed up for quite a while later laying on the hardwood floor talking.

“Jordan dear, this weekend I want to start potty training Jen. It’s time. I don’t know if you remember what it was like when we did the same for Mindi, but part of the deal is that diapers (at least during the day) go away. Period. No pull-ups, no training pants, nothing of the sort. Only big-girl panties. That means we will have some accidents to deal with. But with both of you girls as toddlers, a weekend at home and these rules was all we needed to get you trained.”

“Ok. So are you telling me I need to help or something?”

“Not exactly. This is what needs to happen though. Jen is only 2 ½ years old and she’s going to be confused with potty training if she sees her older sisters wearing pull-ups or diapers around the house. You two still need to wear them at night – and that is fine and I understand and support that – but she won’t get it and it will hamper her process if she see’s either of you wearing them.”

Jordan picked at something on her foot.

“So this is what’s gonna happen first thing in the morning. We’re gonna move Mindi into your ro—”

“Mooom!!! NOOO!” She immediately objected as she came to grasp

“Listen Jordan – didn’t you hear what I said? Your sister Jen isn’t gonna get out of diapers period if her sister Mindi is prancing around in front of her in a diaper every night… And she needs them… And so we’ve got to get her out of that room. You’re wearing diapers too for now and so the two of you are gonna share a room. You might not like it but this is gonna be how it’s gonna be.” Sally tried to say it with finality and confidence.

Jordan frowned. “…so the diapered babies have to share a room together then…”, not really liking the sound of the position or point, but really wanting to keep her own room.

“If you really think you’re a baby because you have a medical problem, you need more help than I can give you. I’m not even gonna bother arguing with that.”

She’s right. And if I complain too hard, she might not be so sweet to me like she’s been lately.

“Aaalriiiigh….” Jordan said in a conciliatory but complaining voice.

“Thanks honey. I know this isn’t easy. Let’s get you ready for bed.” Sally put her arm around her daughter and smiled.

The two got up and hugged; then arms around each other’s shoulders and backs, the two slowly made their way back to the bedroom at the far back right corner at the end of the hall.