You’ve begged. Pleaded.
“Please just let Mommy sleep until there’s a 7 on the clock.”
“Why don’t we get off the floor and stop crying about our shoes and put them on so we don’t miss the bus?”
“For the last time, dirty underwear belongs in the laundry room!”
And there have been threats. But, let’s face it, most of them have been empty. Right?
I hear you. I’M WITH YOU.
So we’re trying something new. Do I think it’s going to work? I haven’t got a clue. But it’s the start of a new school year and I’m always looking for new ways to motivate my kids. Bribery seems to work pretty well, despite those child psychologist naysayers who probably don’t have kids of their own anyway.
I stole this concept from my neighbour after I saw her wandering around this summer with a roll of coat-check tickets in her pocket. She handed them out to her kids for good behaviour and chores. But since I don’t care to wander around with tickets in my pocket, I decided to get a bit crafty. (This is unusual, so I’d like a heap of applause right about now.)
The cost? About $4. Everything is from the dollar store: foam-core board, clothespins, tickets and super-glue. We spent about 20 minutes deciding on the various “chores” and related rewards together as a family, and it took me less than an hour to bring it to life.
The only question now is…where the hell am I gonna hang this thing?
stacy kozier says
I need to implement this for my family
stacy kozier says
I need to implement this for my family
Shelley Nelson says
bribery definitely works. I used a money incentive to get my boys to read daily when they were struggling with it and within 2 weeks they were reading more than was required since they started to enjoy it. great idea. hope you had a place to put it
Shelley Nelson says
bribery definitely works. I used a money incentive to get my boys to read daily when they were struggling with it and within 2 weeks they were reading more than was required since they started to enjoy it. great idea. hope you had a place to put it
Victoria Ess says
That’s really handy and very nicely done! We need something like that in our house! Somewhere in the kitchen perhaps?
Victoria Ess says
That’s really handy and very nicely done! We need something like that in our house! Somewhere in the kitchen perhaps?
Kris Wilson says
My daughter is only two so this is something I haven’t thought about (yet). I like the idea of a ticketing system or checkmarks. I hope to read an update about how this is working for you.
Kris Wilson says
My daughter is only two so this is something I haven’t thought about (yet). I like the idea of a ticketing system or checkmarks. I hope to read an update about how this is working for you.
Meagan Maher says
I need to implement this for my husband.
Meagan Maher says
I need to implement this for my husband.
Lindsay T says
Great Idea!! I’m thinking about instituting something similar.
Lindsay T says
Great Idea!! I’m thinking about instituting something similar.
doris humber says
What a great idea for the kids! Love that!!
doris humber says
What a great idea for the kids! Love that!!
kristagould4 says
This is a great way to teach young ones and very cheap to make 🙂
kristagould4 says
This is a great way to teach young ones and very cheap to make 🙂
angela m says
What a cute and clever idea.
angela m says
What a cute and clever idea.
Debbie says
What a cute idea. I never know how old is appropriate to do this sort of thing. You make it look easy!!
Debbie says
What a cute idea. I never know how old is appropriate to do this sort of thing. You make it look easy!!
Lisa says
Love this idea! We do something similar… also Pinterest-inspired, which is a popsicle stick jar. I had the kids decorate sticks with different washi tapes, and then I wrote 15 on each, which stands for how much screen time it equals. 🙂 Great system!
Lisa says
Love this idea! We do something similar… also Pinterest-inspired, which is a popsicle stick jar. I had the kids decorate sticks with different washi tapes, and then I wrote 15 on each, which stands for how much screen time it equals. 🙂 Great system!
Rebecca H says
Holy! I LOVE this idea! I need to start something new, our old system is getting too predicable! Thanks!
Rebecca H says
Holy! I LOVE this idea! I need to start something new, our old system is getting too predicable! Thanks!
salexis says
This is adorable! I really like the idea 🙂 Super clever!!!
salexis says
This is adorable! I really like the idea 🙂 Super clever!!!
LisaN says
Smart idea!!
LisaN says
Smart idea!!
Stephanie Simpson says
I love this idea – I think I might adapt it to work for my three-year old. Would you mind if I shared it on my blog?
Mommy Gearest says
As long as you credit me and link back, go for it! Thanks!
Stephanie Simpson says
I love this idea – I think I might adapt it to work for my three-year old. Would you mind if I shared it on my blog?
Mommy Gearest says
As long as you credit me and link back, go for it! Thanks!
Cathy K says
This is all kinds of amazing. I will definitely use this later when she gets older!
Cathy K says
This is all kinds of amazing. I will definitely use this later when she gets older!
Rachel says
hmm… looks too complicated to me for our lifestyle, but I hope its worked for you!
Rachel says
hmm… looks too complicated to me for our lifestyle, but I hope its worked for you!
Stephanie G. says
seems maybe a bit complicated?
Stephanie G. says
seems maybe a bit complicated?
Chandra O"Connor says
I love that idea
Chandra O"Connor says
I love that idea
Anisa says
Great idea, we do something similar but it’s just check marks. One check mark equals 5 minutes of screen time. Kids love it and I’m not screaming as much about the house being a mess.
Anisa says
Great idea, we do something similar but it’s just check marks. One check mark equals 5 minutes of screen time. Kids love it and I’m not screaming as much about the house being a mess.
loucheryl says
This is a great idea! So easy too. I wouldn’t know where to hang it in my home either, but I would find a spot. 🙂
loucheryl says
This is a great idea! So easy too. I wouldn’t know where to hang it in my home either, but I would find a spot. 🙂
Cheryl says
What an awesome idea
Cheryl says
What an awesome idea
inrdream says
I am always looking for ways to bribe the kids. This is a great idea. We use a checkmark chart and have tried marbles in the past. I wish you luck with it! BTW where did you hang it?
inrdream says
I am always looking for ways to bribe the kids. This is a great idea. We use a checkmark chart and have tried marbles in the past. I wish you luck with it! BTW where did you hang it?