I have implemented dozens of chore charts, sticker charts, magnet charts, star charts, motivating with money charts, poker chip charts (don't ask), and numerous ways to get my kids to do their chores, be kind to each other, love each other, obey their parents, etc.
I am a good implementer. I am an expert in implementation. If there was a book about implementation I would surely be one of the contributors.
Follow through, now that's a whole different story.
Something happens to my gumption from the birth of the greatest chore chart ever, to actually using it long enough to get any results. Gumption = gone.
But luckily, gumption is a stubborn little fella and he always finds his way back. So, here comes another scathingly brilliant idea, and I know this time it will stick, I just know it.
My kids love t.v., they love the computer, they love the wii, they love the kinect, they love the DS, they love the iPad, did I mention they may be a little crazy about media? Now I know what you are saying, "you have too many options, too many tantalizing treats to fulfill their media pallet." But I look at it another way, I say to myself - "Self, you have hit the jack pot. You have so many options to use as rewards that they can't help but obey." (or bribery, whatever floats your boat.)
Enter, the warm fuzzies.
It's a simple idea, but so far it has worked great. Each child is a warm fuzzy color. Each warm fuzzy equals 5 minutes of media time on Saturday. Each time a child is caught doing something kind, giving service, has a good day at school, practices the piano, or gets ready in the morning with a positive attitude, they get to move a fuzzy from the warm fuzzies jar to the TV jar. And when they do the opposite, you guessed it, a warm fuzzy moves from the TV jar to the warm fuzzies jar. It's brilliant. Then on Saturday morning we gather 'round the jars and count up how much time each one gets for media. The maximum time they can earn is 2 hours. Oh and did I mention that there is no TV in the week. Those warm fuzzies may as well be nuggets of gold.
I am sure this is the one that will stick, I am sure of it. Those warm fuzzies are just to dog on warm and fuzzy not to make it into the follow through hall of fame. There's a first time for everything.
We have just finished week one, I have a good feeling about this one.
