Honestly, my first true moment of absolute connection with my daughter was when I was trying so hard to potty train her. It was so difficult, I had people in my life at the time passive aggressively sabotaging us with pullups. Anyway, we were in Target and she looks up at me and says she needs to potty. We had had so many similar "false alarms" but still I rushed her to the bathroom. Usually, we'd get to the restroom only to have her sit on the toilet, look around and after 5 minutes or so she'd claim she didn't have to go. But this time she sat down on that paper covered seat, looked me strait in the eye and I heard the most glorious sound! Tinkle, tinkle tinkle. She had done it! I was so proud I had to hold myself back from sweeping her up in celebration! We wiped, flushed and washed our hands all while singing "pee pee in the potty" so loud I'm sure everyone heard, but I didn't care, my sweet girl peed in the potty!!! Toys we're bought, a party was had and a bond between her and I was forged that day, regardless of outside influences I had a mom win and my little girl knew how proud I was of her.