It's wonderful the workings of a bicycle.

There is a phrase used in Ireland, (not so much these days, and probably only in country areas), 'It's wonderful the workings of a wheelbarrow'. I have absolutely no idea what it means, but it came to mind today as I was pondering the wonder of bicycles in our home.

Never underestimate the power of a lowly two wheeled mode of transport - for it has been exalted in my mind to a place of the highest possible honour.

Since July 2006 we have tried, over and over and over again to potty train Miss E. July last year she was 3 months off her second birthday and was showing classic 'readiness' signs and encouraged by her Pediatrician's advice at her 18 month appointment to act when these signs appeared, we started potty training. And so ensued a year's worth of false starts and frustration, soggy carpets and lots of bad words!

We have tried stickers, reward charts, M&Ms, making a big deal of it, not making a big deal of it - nothing worked. While her mind certainly showed that she understood the concept of going to the potty like everyone else, her body did otherwise, over and over and so we had a ritual of cleaning up wet underpants and patches in the carpet, on the tile, or wherever she chose to eliminate her pee (despite only going on the pot 5 minutes beforehand!).

Having exhausted what I considered to be all 'non bribe' avenues - we brought out the big 'carrot and stick' last week - the carrot being a bicycle, and the stick being 'you have to keep your pants clean and dry'.

Well there it went - that elusive click, click, clicking that I have been waiting for for a year - CLICK, PING, LIGHT BULB moment, whatever you want to call it - but after a full week and only one minor accident (due to novelty of a new bathroom step and lots of running water!) I am declaring that a brand shiny new Dora the Explorer Bike and 'hemlet' the secret of our potty training success! (She's even dry at night but I'm not chancing no diapers overnight for a wee while longer).

I have a very chuffed little girl who tells me that she's a big girl now with her dry underpants, and we have a very happy, and less stressed mommy!

It is wonderful the workings of a bicycle!

Potty Training is for the BIRDS.

Really! If we were birds how much easier would this process be? Just fly along and let loose on some unsuspecting punter's head.

This has to be the most challenging aspect of motherhood so far (cue experienced mothers with older kids and their knowing peals of laughter here. I know there are worse things than this ahead - too scared to think of those yet).

I have a two and a half year old who is so far resistant to all and any approaches I take. I've tried praise, rewards, blatent bribery and shameless pleading - no major progress so far and we've been at this give or take, 6 months. If I had a dollar for every mom stating 'oh really you're having problems? - gosh it just 'clicked' with my kid' I'd be a rich lady by now. I'm ready for some serious 'clicking' in our house right now.

It's driving me nuts. Growing up I often heard my Dad state that insanity was hereditary, you get it from your kids - stuff like this makes me realise how right is he is!

Here's hoping she gets there soon though, my mental health, and the carpet, depend on it.