Yes, another chart. I’m a charting mom. I’ve always found charts to be a great motivator when I’m trying to encourage certain behaviors/habits in my kids. Once you accept the fact that no chart will work forever and for every child, you’ll love charts too. Obviously, kids get sick of things and like to be introduced to something new. So, when the thrill wears off…we move on to something else. The point is consistently teaching them and showing them what is important. And, I tell you what….my kids staying on their beds at night is pretty dang important, to me.
Isn’t it the worst when you FINALLY crash on your bed, knowing you have taken care of EVERYTHING (except the husband) and the time is finally yours (in a few more minutes)…when in walks junior, whom you JUST put to bed. He needs some water, another hug, another kiss, to go to the bathroom, a snack, to ask a few questions about the galaxy and gray wolves, AND he’s scared. Then Junior #2 and #3 hear Junior #1 getting attention, so they scramble out of their beds to join in. All the sudden, your starting again at square one…but, this time…you’re breathing FIRE. You get frustrated, yell a bit, and then go to bed feeling guilty for ending the day like that. The guilt only lasts for a minute because it’s quickly interrupted again by Junior…he forgot “just one more thing”. Ugh. You freak, threaten to ground him from life and he runs screaming to his room (only to wake up the sleeping baby). You heave a big, exhausted sigh…lay there hoping the baby will go back to sleep. And, oh yeah,…the husband still has plans for you.
In our house, the above ritual was turning into a nightly thing. And, I was turning into a beast. I needed another chart, another motivator…here’s what I came up with and it has worked like a charm! We are in our 3rd week doing it and I am in love. Hopefully, it will form a new habit so that when the thrill wears off, I won’t have to come up with something else. 🙂
So, I asked 3 of my offending punks to tell me their most favorite treats (small ones). Yes, I’m not above rewarding with candy. It’s what they want…and it’s super motivating because I don’t let them have it whenever they want. The thought of winning their own small jar of candy was like heaven.
Audrey picked Smarties and flavored Tootsie Rolls.
Shane picked Jolly Ranchers and Gobstoppers.
Caden picked Junior Mints.
I filled up their jars, each with their favorite candies. I carefully COUNTED how many candies were in each jar (and wrote it down in a secret place), then sealed them up. (Small candies make it more difficult to guess correctly…which, is a good thing.) I then put their names on the top, using the Maestro Label Designer…
I told the kids that each night they stay on their bed, without getting off even once, they could take ONE guess (in the morning) as to how many candies were in their jar. When they guess correctly, they get to keep their whole jar of candy! I made a guessing chart on Excel. That way, they could cross off the number they guessed and not guess it twice. There were a hundred numbers to choose from, so I felt confident it would take a while…unless they were super lucky.
It’s worked JUST like I hoped! The kids are on their beds the whole night and it drives them absolutely NUTS trying to figure out what that number is. I love it. So far, Shane is the only one to have guessed his number. Luckily, he is so proud of his candy jar that he is really stingy about how many he will eat. He doesn’t want it to be empty! He now stays on his bed to help earn bonus guesses for his brother and sister.
This idea can really work for lots of different situations:
If you’re kids won’t eat their dinner…
If you’re kids aren’t being nice…
If you’re kids are being potty trained…
If you want them to read more books…
If you want them to do their chores…
You want them to play together more…
etc.
etc.
etc.
That sounds like a great idea. I’m confused though…when do the kids get the candy jars? Once they guess correctly or once the chart is full? I adore your blog. Thanks for doing a fabulous job!
Sorry! The jar is already full of candy. When they guess the correct number (one guess a day), they can keep their jar.
Once they win their jar, have them stay on their bed to help earn bonus guesses for their siblings. That way they all wrap it up around the same time frame and you can start over or move on to another motivator.
There’s a chance they could guess it in the first week, but cross your fingers that they don’t…and, they probably won’t. Like I said…it took over 3 weeks for my first child to get it right. It also helps when the candies are small….its more deceiving as to how many are in there.
This is hilarious because I remember when your kiddos would think of the funniest excuses to get out of bed!! I looked forward to hearing what the next reason would be 🙂
I love this idea. There are so many things i could use that for in my house. Thanks!
That’s a good idea. If my kids start doing that again, I might have to adopt it.
Right now, if they don’t behave at bedtime my younger daughter doesn’t get to wear a dress the next day and my older daughter gets a playdate taken away. I’m a meany like that. This does help them stay and not talk quite so much.
That is too fun. I love it.
So do you have any motivation for us on the hubby situation? 😉
Thanks for the great idea! My four kids do that almost every night, and I have been at a loss of what to do! I can’t wait to try this!!:)
I love this idea!!
Amazing. I’m on my last thread waking up w/ kids in the bed or kiddos on the floor next to the bed. & I am surprised the neighbors have not reported the screaming going on in the wee hours of the night – lol!!! After today, they are out. I think this will totally work in our situation. Brillance. I love you!!!!
Great idea! I’m having the same problem with my son, but I was hoping it would just go away. You have inspired me to be more proactive, and hopefully get rid of the beast that I too was becoming. Now only a way to keep them from waking me up so early…
I recently found your blog and I am loving it–such cute ideas! Thanks!
this made me laugh out loud! I totally have the same situation with kids and hubby and kids and hubby….. neverending. any ideas for the hubby situation. candy just doesn’t cut it lol