Basically it's the weekend!!!

[ruvalokiteshvara]

That's a good plan, Jess.

We could even start with a "balance" of 5 points. Each out of bed is one point deducted. Accumulate, say, 25 (a whole week's worth of not getting out of bed essentially) for $10 toward Lego.

I like that idea. I am working up his new chore chart today - I might try integrating that.

[stephcrouse]

That does sound like a good plan.

B stayed dry all day yesterday. At 2:30 am, he came to the side of the bed and said he had to go potty, so I couldn't get mad at him for getting up... I will have to try to limit the fluids before bed, and in bed!

[jwjbbrown]

Everyone is up. yummy breakfast being easten, then we are out of here for the day.

[redgirlsmama]

Good work Ru! I'm sometimes good for something I watched Freakonomics last night so the idea of incentive over punishment is fresh in my head

[stephcrouse]

I think I'm going to try the roll of dimes incentive plan. Start with a roll of dimes, put one in a charitly jar for every break of the rules (name calling, rudeness, etc.), and then keep what you have left at the end of the month.

There is also the Berenstain Bears method, make a list of chores that have to be done for each broken rule.

[ruvalokiteshvara]

Gah - a roll of dimes! More power to you, Steph. I can't imagine being organized enough to stay on top of that. Primarily because our bank is electronic only, and i have no idea where I might obtain a roll of dimes with ease!

[redgirlsmama]

Yah, I don't think dimes would be a big incentive here either. I have started a thing that is working great here. My kids each get $3 a week for being members of our family. BUT part of our family is helping out. So if I ask them to do something they do it (I really don't ask that much) if they don't, they don't get the $3. Also I added an extra poop scoop fee for the yard, because I think it is not fun at all so they get an additional $2 for doing that. I really like it because I don't have to write out chore charts, and if something comes up out of the norm I don't hear "but that isn't on my list".

[ruvalokiteshvara]

Sounds like a good plan, Jess. E gets an allowance, $1 for each year of his age per week (so $4/week right now). But it is a transfer from our savings account to his, so he never sees it. Sometimes we will bust some out, like on vacation, so he has his own silly money to buy whatever he wants (which is usually small plastic animals in a tube of some sort - poor Mel!) But for the most part, it is just a secret stash!

But since he is an only, a boy and apparently blind, we haven't expected too much of him - so we need the chart to get him used to doing stuff around the house and get him working towards independence. And to remind people like me that even though it is faster and more convenient for me to do something for him, in the long run it is to all our benefits to let him learn to do it for himself!

[lemurmommies]

What's that? It's only noon? Heaven help me.

Despite the bad night, the morning started off okay. We got Timbits and got to soccer in good time and were able to get good parking at the tournament. Then the start of the soccer game comes and our team has 2, yes, 2 players. Belch. How embarrassing. The other team lent us some kids, and then 20 minutes into the game two more of our played showed up. So we played and played pretty well. But when only half the team shows up, it's difficult not to be disheartened. E got a nice participation trophy, which made him happy.

Then we went to try on glasses. E needs youth or adult sizes, so the selection was more limited. And the frames they told us they had, they did not. Sigh. However, the people working in the shop were lovely and I really really liked the optician, so that was nice. I believe that for E's main pair, we are going to go with Adidas frames. They are rubber on the sides and have great hinges. Of course, they are also ridiculously expensive. Of course.

Now we're home and e is having lunch and he has his TV privileges back. He keeps asking where I hid his Lego. Sorry dude, I'm not telling! You'll get it back tomorrow.

Love the idea of a point system for earning Lego. Good one Jess.

I need, umm, I dunno. A coke and a hug?

[ruvalokiteshvara]

Mel.

too.

The Coke? We can take care of that later if you like. How good does that sound? Put the boy to bed, drink a big 591 mL bottle of Coke!