posted 05-30-2007 05:15 PM            

It took her less than a month to realize that it did not pay off to skip her chores, since then she has not missed a day. I have to tell you it was music to my ears last night as I was clearing the dinner table to hear my daughter yell out, “Mom don’t do the dishes it’s my day to do them”, she was in her room sorting her clothes because today is laundry day as she wanted to get a jump start. This is the same kid whose room use to look like the local dumpster.

I also have a separate calendar for each child called the no hitting/name calling calendar. They get a sticker for each day they go without hitting or name calling. At the end of the month if they have more than 80% of stickers they get a treat something simple such as an outing, new CD, have a friend spend the night.

I also have a no whining/drama/yelling weekly sheet that I use for my daughter. If she starts to whine she gets a mark and if she gets 3 marks in one week she is restricted from using the phone for 2 days.

Yes the first month or so are pure hell as you reinforce these new rules but let me tell you they sure learn fast that life is much easier when you comply by them. My kids now get along much better. They have gone 6 days without hitting or name calling. Keep in mind these two kids would go all day back and forth hitting and calling each other names so this is a big accomplishment.