Discipline Tactic

Lately, I would say that there has been a bit more bickering in our household between the big kids. This is probably due to some cabin fever, sure, but either way the constant need to punish and have talks with the kids was wearing on me.

So, I adapted a tactic from my friend Renay to encourage the kids to behave better. They each get 3 "Good Behavior" tickets each day. If they get in trouble, they have to surrender a ticket to me. At the end of the day, if they have all 3 tickets they get to choose a "prize" from a bowl. If they have no tickets, they have an early bedtime. (Losing 1 or 2 tickets results in nothing). Today was our first day.

I can't say that it was all the new incentive program. Perhaps great nights of sleep had something to do with it, but it was the most harmonious day we've had in a while! I was hearing things like, "Sure, mom," or "would you like to go first, or do you want me to go first?" It was a beautiful thing. I know, I know, this type of discipline model tends to have a swift downward slope in effectiveness as the days pass. If it can get us through just a couple weeks of the winter doldrums, I'm all for it.

So, tonight Paige picked a twistable pencil and Will picked a sheet of sparkly bug stickers. They were thrilled. Now they sleep...peacefully.