Positive Reinforcement

I've confessed before that I stink at things like behavior charts, chore charts, and the like. I want to do things like that. I am a huge believer in positive reinforcement. Reward good behavior to help it stick around. One problem I face is that the kids think they get a tangible reward every time they please me. While I want to make them happy, sometimes a pat on the back is not exactly what they have in mind. At the same time I don't want them thinking they get a super cool new toy or treat every time they mind me.

I've mulled this over at great length, and finally it came up in a conversation with a friend the method she was using and that was working fabulously for her.

Basically, she took a jar, and some large glass pieces (she calls them glass globs, hers have shapes, the ones I'm using are decorative vase fillers) and every time the kids do something great like make the bed without being reminded, or go an afternoon without fighting, they get to put a glob in the jar.

I'm totally stealing her idea! We started yesterday and you know what? The boys got up, got dressed and made their beds and then came and got me. I've been trying to achieve this routine for months with no luck. So, they each got a glass bead and when the jar is full we will go out for ice cream!

I can't wait to see if this really has lasting impact.

Some things they get beads for...

Making bed.
Not whining when asked to do something.
WOW - ing mom & dad.
Not arguing.

I'm going to work on more positive behaviors to reward so they can work toward their treat and hopefully make some good habits in the process.