Well, I have no idea if many moms are like I am. But I am regularly trying to figure out how to motivate my kids to do, or NOT do certain things. My own mom was never the kind of mom who used charts and incentives. Somehow we just did what we knew we had to do--even if that meant me crying for HOURS because I didn't want to do the dishes. Or my leaning on a garden hoe FOREVER because I just couldn't believe I had to weed THAT MANY rows!!! When I was young we did not get allowance or a reward for doing our responsibilities. We just DID THEM!!! And we knew if we misbehaved, there would be a consequence. Not that if we behaved, there would be a reward. I have no idea if I am just all mixed up as a parent, but I need a few little charts to help me out!! It used to be a teeth-brushing chart. I had to bribe my kids to brush!! And then there's the reading chart. Not so much for them--but for them to MAKE ME read with them. Seriously!!! I am a teacher by profession, and I need a reminder to read with my kids!! We'll see how long these new 2009 ideas work. Below in the photo are what I spent my day yesterday doing. Click on it for a larger view of my VERY lovely work!! HA HA!!!!!
FHE CHART : We have each been taking a turn doing Family Home Evening. And although it has been good for the kids to feel capable and proud for "doing" family night, we are missing the mark a bit. Logan's lessons are usually on birthday parties or the importance of games. I decided we'd better each take a part in each FHE to be more effective. I wanted one of those cute wood and vinyl lettered FHE boards. But I was on a roll yesterday and needed a chart pronto. Found this little ice-cream thing online. "Laminated" it with clear packing tape. The scoops move each week to different responsibilities for FHE--Lesson, prayer, scripture, game, treat, etc. POCKET CHORE CHART: This is an idea we have used this fall. (Thanks Em!!) But I had the little sticks in cups. They always fell all over the place and we fizzled out of using them. Well, now the little chore sticks ARE BACK!! They are cute little pics of the kids chores like make bed, do homework, lay out clothes, etc. There is a morning and evening set. The kids move them from the "do it" pocket to the "done" pocket. I had the jean pockets already, and cut up a pair of my own jeans for the background. No, of course I didn't sew a thing. I just used that iron-on stitch-witch stuff and ironed half the night!!! The charts will now hang on the kids walls.
JANUARY CALENDAR: This is just the regular. We always post a calendar just for the kids with their stuff on. Library day, show and tell day, playgroup, FHE, special outings, etc. This time the kids are using the calendar to post stickers on when they earn them. They have to earn 40 stickers, and then they get to choose a prize from the...
"TREASURE BOX"!!! Yes, I decorated a lovely box last night for our treasure box and filled it with little gifts and things I have stashed around the house for friends birthday gifts, etc. I wanted a wooden box that looked like a treasure box, but again, this HAD to be done last night--no time for shopping at the DI for a wooden box. Maybe another day. The kids earn stickers for a few things, but the focus right now is on saying thoughtful prayers and agreeing to pray when it's their turn, and being reverent during all prayers. It's an issue around here. Goofing off during the prayers, telling on each other afterwards..."he had his eyes open!!" Huh, how did she know that?? They also rarely WANT to say the family prayer when we ask them to. So, we are bribing them to pray!!! Worked for one day so far--that's 2 family prayers we've had with thoughtful words and reverent kids!!! Most likely being so "thoughtful" about the race track and the gold nail polish in the treasure box!!!
GOALS: Last night for FHE we had a questionably effective lesson about goals. We each set a goal to work on and posted them on the fridge. It took a little explaining before Logan understood that his "goal" did not have to involve a ball or sports. Logan will make his bed every day. Ellie will be nice every day. I will read with the kids every day. Darin will exercise every day. We shall see.....we shall see. Logan "made" his bed this morning by arranging at LEAST 20 stuffed animals all over the bed and the blankets nicely piled in spots between the animals. Ellie did not specify that she would be nice ALL day, nor to whom she would be nice. And I guess I meant that ten minutes before bed when I realize we have not done homework, I would hastily have the kids read to me so I could say we "read". Ah yes, just love starting the new year off right!!!
6 comments:
Your're great! Miriam! I love the pocket chart. We have that "Do it/ Done" Chart on magnets for their own magnet board. My kids are getting too big for the simple , make bed, brush teeth, etc. chores. I need to make new updated, more appropriate magnets.
Mykids right now can earn up to 2 stickers a day on their own charts in their rooms. They have to have a nearly perfect day which means, no fighting, misbehaving in school, get all their homework done and read , etc. to earn 2. I occassionally shell out a third for extra effort. Once they get 20- they get to pick a prize. I use to hold out longer, but it works better this way.
I have done them all it seems like, andsome work better than others and it is always nice to change the chart to avoid bordem. GOOD JOB! Very cute!
I LOVE it!!!!
I grew up the same way as you. I cried until about 10:00pm and then just did the dishes so that I could go to bed. We never got allowance and we didn't get spanked but there was something that made us feel we had to do our work or we would be in big trouble. Good ideas! Good luck.
P.S. This is my packing break- I needed a little blog world relief. Thanks
As Timmerie said, we grew up much like you, but I did get spanked - I must have been really bad! Anyway, you are a terrific mom! I have a kid who is constantly asking me what jobs she can do, and I'm constantly telling her nothing because it's much easier if I do it myself, on my time, instead of stopping what I'm doing to show her what to do! I have a lot to learn, but I love that you share your methods so that I can have I ideas for raising better kids in my own house! Thanks for sharing!
Wow!! What wonderful ideas! You are so crafty! I have to admit, I admire crafty people. I could probably be crafty if I wanted to. (I've been forced a few times) but the desire is just not there! lol
My poor kids.
Awesome effort. I love the denim pockets for the chores or using it for any kind of chart. We did goals for family night on the first Monday of January and like always Maddy and Issac compare and it started turing into "i have 19 goals now how many do you have?" I then explained it doesn't matter how many you have, it matters to make ones that they are dedicated to really do. We've been on the improvement kick too. I hope it continues.
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