Mornings around here are usually pretty hectic, with 4 kids leaving for 4 different busses between 7:00 and 8:15 every morning, plus the 2 kids I tend, and getting everyone, dressed and out the door with homework, and lunches, and instruments is tricky enough, add to that children who are fighting, and it gets pretty hairy around here. I have been pondering for a while something that might motivate my children to have more consideration for one another and be nicer in general to everyone they encounter So the hectic mornings can at least be pleasant. I came up with an idea for a “Good Manners Jar” for each of my children.
The idea is sort of like a swear jar, but instead of paying when you swear, you get paid for showing kindness and consideration to others, and using good manners in general. The kids can also lose money for being unkind, or not using manners. They get whatever is in their jar at the end of the week. I am thinking a dime for each time I catch them using nice manners, and being kind, and subtracting a quarter for poor manners. I talked to them about it yesterday, and they all seemed very excited to earn the money, however being nice doesn’t altogether appeal to them, hence the need to use bribery. I know I feel more inclined to do my Job when I get a paycheck at the end of the week.
I also got another great idea from my eleven years old teachers. In his classes, they are learning about life skills, and the kids can earn pretend money for doing jobs. They first have to interview for the jobs, with the understanding that some jobs pay more than others. They also have to budget their pretend money and use it to pay for things like sharpening a pencil, free time, and bathroom privileges, free time, they even pay taxes! I am thinking of using a similar system for my kids, so they can earn TV time, computer and video game time, or just play time. (something they believe they are just entitled to, my Husband feels the same way, so I may have an uphill battle there) but I think it is such a great idea for them to have something tangible that they have to give up in order to get the payoff. I like the idea that it teaches them to budget as well. We have given them allowance since they were each about 4 years old for chores, but it has lost its appeal, as the kids think they should earn way more than they currently do, so it has led to apathy towards their tasks. So I think I will use the fake money idea that they can cash in for their privileges. I am also in love with the idea of interviewing them for each chore; I have my bets hedged as to which kid will choose what. I wonder if it works on husbands.
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