DIY: Reward System for Kids

We were having a hard time figuring out consequences and reward that were suited for our family and our style of parenting. We have learned by trial and error as most of you probably have. About 8 months ago, we were going through several changes in our life. We sold our house, moved, started one of our babes in school, and added several other time consuming activities to our life. On top of everything the kids were feeling the stress of the changes before the move and afterwards our world of "behavior and obedience" pretty much fell apart. My days were spent in survival mode moving from one behavioral crisis to the next. Something had to change! Michael and I tried everything... one on one quality time, special outings, time outs, corporal punishment, taking away toys and privileges, the list goes on and on, yet not much changed.

Flashback two years! I found myself in the presence of shear genius. I was sitting at the vet and beside me sat another young mom with 4 young boys about the age of my own. As I sat there watching these 4 brothers that reminded me so much of my own boys at home, I heard the mother reprimand one of the boys behavior and say, ""When we get home, you owe me a brother buck.". I stopped dead in my tracks at that moment I had to know what a brother buck was... so I not being one to sit silent told the mom... I must know what a brother buck is! She was happy to share her system of rewards and consequences they used in their family. I loved it, and tucked it away in my mental bank for a rainy day.


Flash forward! It hit me in my desperation one day, maybe we could do some sort of sticker chart... and all of a sudden I remembered the system of Brother Bucks. My sweet husband ran to the local Dollar store and the next morning we started a new system of consequences and rewards and 8 months later it is still working like a charm.

In less than two weeks our entire family attitude was refreshed. As parents we were 1. focused on the positives in the kids behavior more than the negative and 2. refocused on the need for consistency!! Two things that we had lost in our survival mode; and the boys were excited to work for rewards. They were using their manners, speaking kindly to one another, and working towards their own personal behavioral goals, most of the time.

So here is the rundown!


The boys are rewarded for putting the fruits of the spirit into practice. Each time we catch them using a fruit of the spirit, they are rewarded with a brother buck. Each brother has a special basket to keep his brother bucks in. Periodically we find them counting their bucks and trying to decide if they want to spend or save. The boys are allowed to turn in their bucks at anytime, but also know that some rewards are instantaneous like a sucker or dessert after dinner.... while others have to be scheduled, like dates, and family outings. (by the way, there are spending limits on both of these rewards). If the boys are acting disrespectfully or being disobedient Michael and I always hold the right to have the boys return one, or all of their brother bucks back to us.

I made a quick chart using Microsoft word, eventually I would like to write the rewards on a replace it with a small chalkboard. For now, I have the document displayed in a spare picture frame, and kept near the baskets.

dum dums are always in our pantry... Brennan likes to turn his brother bucks 5 at a time.

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law or punishment against such things.

Kid's Crafts: Glass Pumpkins!

I can't believe it is already October!!!   I thought this would be a great way to kick off the month! I saw this idea at a girlfriends house last week and couldn't wait to get home and try my hand at crafting. Great craft for kids of all ages!  FYI: I'm not much of a crafter, but these were really easy and the whole family had fun! 

Supplies:
Glass Jars of any shape and size you choose
Orange tissue paper cut into 1 inch squares
Paint brushes 1/2 to 1 inch wide
Washable School Glue
Complimentary Ribbon or Raffia
Black Marker
 Tea Lights (we used LED)

1. On a clean jar, use your paint brush to spread school glue over portions of the jar about a 3"x3" area.
2. Press single squares of tissue paper onto the glue, slightly overlapping conjoining squares.
3. Repeat until the entire jar has been covered.
4. Use your paint brush to put a thin layer of school glue on all tissue paper, paying special attention to any loose corners or edges.
5. Allow jars to dry for about 4 hours
6. Use a black marker to draw your jack-o-lantern face and tie a ribbion around the neck of the jar.
7. Place a tea light inside, and *VIOLA*  you have a cute craft for all to enjoy!

Bonus:  After Halloween simply spin the jars around and you have a gorgeous glowing pumpkin for the rest of the fall season! Have Fun!

Host your own Creative Kids week Party!!! Great ideas and tips here!!

Mini Pudding Poppers

Way back when... I read a post Red, White, and Blue Pudding Pops by one of the sweetest, most genuine beautiful girls I know... and thought... My kids would love those. So, I rushed to the store, bought some supplies, and a month later as I was organizing my pantry I thought, why do I have all this pudding (light bulb).  So I got it all out and here is what we came up with. 

Mini Pudding Poppers

• 2 boxes of your favorite pudding flavors (prepared)
• we used chocolate and cheesecake flavored pudding
• bathroom size disposable cups

1. Make pudding according to box directions. 
2. Layer flavors into each cup, great project for older kiddos.
3.  Line up cups in a backing dish or cookie sheet and place in freezer for at least 2 hours.
4. Pop up and enjoy the yummy goodness!

William meets the Webcam

So about a month ago, we purchased a new laptop. And well it had been a while since we had upgraded, so the perks on this computer are great.  While messing around with it one night, Michael showed William the webcam and well this is what we got to see!  We have laughed at this video so many times... hope it brings a smile to your day too!!

LeapFrog Tag Reading System - Toy Review

Christmas Toy Review #2:  LeapFrog Tag Reading System

William received his Tag System from his Grandparents last Christmas.  It is all he wanted and was so excited to see that green box emerge from the wrapping paper! I have to admit I was too!

The Tag System is comprised of a Tag "pen" and a variety of books.  You download electronic files onto the pen and it matches up with to books you own. The pen can hold up to 10 books at a time. Then you can point at a variety of settings within the books to do various activities: Games, reading word by word, sound out words, reading entire page, and spelling.
The Tag  uses 2 AAA batteries, but don't really have to change them out very often. Comes in two colors Green or Pink.

What I love about this toy:

• Really does work!! I'm not saying this will teach your child to read, but I can  say I saw a significant improvement on Williams word recognition after he started using this toy! We also have books that focus on certain vowel sounds that have come in handy during schooling.
• Ease of use: William received this toy at age 4 and was a pro!, but even Cade (3) is able to use all the functions and Brennan (2 1/2) can use some of the functions. All with a print rich toy! We also have a friend with a 7 year old daughter who still loves to play with her Tag system, and has asked for more books at Christmas
• Book: There is a huge variety of books! Some gender specific, others not. I also love that there are classic titles included, ex. "The Cat in the Hat" and "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom".  Most of all, I love that the book look like regular books. Most of them have hard back covers and paper pages, just like every other book on the shelf. Williams quote, "Mommy, these books are just like the ones you read to me". 
• Compact: You can buy a storage case for the Tag Reading System, but we keep ours in a small toddler backpack. The books are all the same size, and store easily. And the "pen" is no bigger than a soup spoon. Great for travel! 
• Also the software for the books is kept online. I love that I don't have Cd's for every book we own floating around in our house. Just the pen, the books and the cable to connect to the computer.

Cons:
I honestly can't come up with anything I don't like about the Tag.

It is a great buy!!!

Does your family own a LeapFrog Tag System?  What is your favorite Learning Toy? 

Happy Toy Shopping!