At some point towards the end of the summer, I had a vision. I was finally putting my label maker to use for another project and this idea hit me. It was like the clouds parted, I squinted into the sun and had visions of happy children and Mommy’s all around the world. Enjoying each and every morning before school.
My vision involved my boys and giving them some responsibilities. Tasks that were clear to them, easy enough for them to do on their own, and things they could do in less than 10 minutes each morning. These things were easy for me to pick out because I spent pretty much all of last school year being a monster about them. Make your bed, get dressed, and brush your teeth. WITHOUT being reminded, nagged, yelled at, etc to do them.
I used the door name plates they already had, clothes pins leftover from a baby shower decoration, and my trusty label maker.
Before bedtime on the eve of Back To School I showed the boys their new flip clip boards. I explained their tasks and what they needed to do each day to flip the clip. I told them that if they did this each day all week long then on Sunday there would be a prize! They asked what kind of a prize and I said they would have to wait and see… because I didn’t know myself yet!
This is at the end of the first week… each day they moved the clothes pin themselves after they completed their responsibilities.
Leave it to procrastination to give me the BEST part of this new system in my house! Originally in my head I planned on going to the Dollar Store and loading up on trinkets, also known as junk that lasts for one hour in my house and then gets thrown away. Well I didn’t get there and all of a sudden it was the weekend. Now what?!?
I decided to make prize cards… instead of junk trinket trash treasures I made a set of notecards for each of the boys and on each card was a different reward. Some examples are; a donut with Dad on the weekend, an after dinner bike ride with Dad, an hour of iPad play, stay up late on a school night, a dinner date with Mom. For the most part they were the same rewards for each. I also threw in some ‘save’ cards… they could decide to save four weeks worth for a new toy at the store or two weeks worth for a new book at the bookstore.
Sunday night we had their undivided attention and we talked to them about what an awesome job they did the previous week. We put the cards in a hat and each got to pick their reward. Biggest got the one hour of iPad play time and Middle got a donut with Dad on the weekend. Both were over the moon about these. And sure enough, Monday morning they were back at it!
I wondered out loud to a friend that I didn’t have a plan for what I would do if they didn’t do it one day. What would be the point of doing it the rest of the week if you’d already lost the chance for the prize? Genius that she is said to give them a chance to earn it back! Maybe unload the dishwasher, read your sister some stories, help Mommy clean up the basement… things like that! YES!
I know we’re only two weeks in and that there’s a loooong school year ahead of us BUT I feel good about this. And honestly, I’m just as excited about the prizes as they are!
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jnwalker1222
14 Responses to my great mom-vention
Stacy
Replied on: October 6, 2012, 8:41 AM
Jamie– I love this idea and am totally using it!
more momvention musts | chosen chaos
Replied on: October 3, 2012, 6:04 AM
[…] 2012 Leave a comment Posted in: family, life, Mom I got so wrapped up in telling you about the momvention of my century I forgot about the other projects […]
Just Jennifer
Replied on: September 13, 2012, 9:20 PM
How cool is this?? Pinning!
Jamie
Replied on: September 18, 2012, 1:02 PM
It is, it is! I’m so excited about how well it’s working!!
Ryan (The Woven Moments)
Replied on: September 6, 2012, 4:52 PM
This is SO fantastic! Love it!
Jamie
Replied on: September 9, 2012, 9:22 PM
Thanks Ryan… it’s really working well too so far.
Lisa
Replied on: September 6, 2012, 12:38 AM
Great idea.…especially the rewards. Love that they are quality time rewards more so than “material” rewards. Definitely more meaningful all the way around!!!
Susi
Replied on: September 4, 2012, 11:31 PM
What a great idea. I’m sure they’ll stick to it with those awesome rewards!!!
Jamie
Replied on: September 9, 2012, 9:21 PM
So far so good!
Linda
Replied on: September 4, 2012, 10:45 PM
You are amazing!
Kellly
Replied on: September 4, 2012, 12:53 PM
That’s an awesome idea!!!
Jamie
Replied on: September 9, 2012, 9:20 PM
Thanks! File it away for the twins!
Co-Pilot Mom
Replied on: September 4, 2012, 7:28 AM
That is a really cool idea!
Jamie
Replied on: September 9, 2012, 9:20 PM
You should try it!! It’s working so well for us so far!