It is summer time here and time to switch to a whole new routine. This is the first summer I have not had a nanny to help me with the kids while I work during the day…so the change is big! So I need to be super efficient with my time (which is only going about 50% well right now). I have also found in the first 3 days they have officially been out that they are already bored out of their minds (according to them), wanting to buy things everyday, picking fights and being lazy. So, something had to change.
Our mornings start at 7 am for breakfast and dragging the big kids out of the bed for 8 am swim practice. Due to their age difference they are in 2 different levels so that is 2 hours at the pool. I do not do well with just sitting for 2 hours. I had to figure out a way to use this time. So I run or walk/run every morning for at least 1 hour. The rest of the time is spent in a mom central pow-wow discussing all the camps, activities and such that we are all doing for the summer to wear out entertain our kids.
During one such pow-wow on Monday my friend (and killer runner) Kristie shared her Marble/Jar reward system. She explained that it is easily adapted to each family and the needs…some do it for behavior, some for chores, etc. She does it for learning worksheets, reading, and such. They do the item, they get a marble in their jar. Once the jar is up to a certain point they get a reward of their choice. Her rewards are movies, skating and things of the sort.
This all makes total sense to me. In Elementary school they use these “systems” in each grade in a variety of ways: beads, clips and stickers. It helps with warnings, punishment and reward. Eager to find a non yelling solution and motivator I decided to try it out.
My system includes:
• 3 glass jars $1 each from AC Moore
• 3 different colored marbles (one for each kid) $2.49 AC Moore
• Rules!
• Rewards
My rules for my kids:
Chores I give them (dishes, sweeping the porch, straightening living room, etc) They are actually BEGGING for chores.
Keeping room clean.
Listening when I ask them to do something (mostly for my middle child)
Helping their little brother.
Pee Pee on the potty (for the little guy).
Reading for 30 minutes.
Math or other school related work.
Anything else they I or they come up with that is Marble worthy.
They loose marbles too (which is VERY effective so far :) )
If they back talk.
Fight with each other.
Or any other rude or disrespectful behavior (I have a bull headed child that this works well with).
Rewards we decided on:
Movies, new books, put put, toy under certain amount, or fun activity of their choice within reason.
So far on Day 3 they LOVE it. They have been trying to do all they can around the house ( my floors are very well swept), my son who loathes reading is half way through a book, the little one has been dry for 2 days, they are not fighting in fear of loosing a marble, their rooms are clean and no body has been disrespectful (ok, one…a marble was lost…but the point was made). Basically it an accountability system. It may not last as most things fizzle out, but for now, I LOVE it! I hate to yell, and my nerves with the amount of work and such we have gets the best of me and dad some days. I was desperately in need of something easier, so we are giving it a try.
These are obviously not your traditional marbles (they did not match my kitchen :)).
