Summer Scoop

Okay, so a few of you asked about my sister's reference to our fabulous routine.  I wanted to try it out today in full to make sure I could boast before the boasting.  Humble pie doesn't suit me.  So, I must say, it's brilliant!  At least today was.  Here's what we're doing:

- Chore Buckets:  I had a few colorful buckets left over from my good intentions at a VT treat that never was, so I dumped in a little rice and made several chore sticks (aka, popsicle sticks with a chore written on it).  They have chore time 2 times a day; once in the morning and again in the afternoon.  The chores aren't anything too technical.  We are talking about a 7 yo and a 5 yo.  Things like pick up a room, clean your room, unload dishwasher, etc. In the morning they have 2, plus the "get ready" job.  In the afternoon 3.  This idea came from my friend Ginnie.  I can't take credit for all this brilliance.

- Chore Store:  Every week after they finish all of their jobs they get $10 of play money to put in their bank (a ziplock on the fridge).  I started them out with $10 a piece as seed money.  During the week if they don't do a chore in a timely manner or if they are being sassy, I can charge them for either doing the chore myself or instead of taking away a priviledge.  At the end of the week they can shop in the store if they choose or save their money.  There is candy in there for like $5, books for $20 and trinkets for $10.  Inflation, you know.  This idea came from my teacher sister, Diana.

- School time:  Once a day, during C's nap, they have their school work to do.  We have a magazine box where I have a folder for each of them.  One side it "To Do" with math, writing, phonics, etc. activity sheets and the other side is "Completed."  Once they are finished with all of their work, we get down the "Active Learning" box which has paint, paper, crayons, markers, scissors, felt, foam, playdough, etc. in to make whatever their heart desires.  They LOVE it.  There are no rules from me other than the fact that they have to clean up their project mess before they start a new one.  Today Mr. M made a door hanger and a waste basket out of construction paper.  And Miss A made a door hanger and painted a picture for me.  Most of the school time is patterned after Mr. M's 2nd grade classroom ... thank you Ms. Weske.

- Reading/Writing time = TV/Computer time:  My kids would watch TV all summer if I let them.  And I would probably let them unconsciously if I didn't put up some rules.  So for every minute they spend reading or writing, they earn computer or TV time.  With a minimum of 30 minutes spent.  My idea.

The other thing that we're trying to follow is a structured parenting approach explained to me by Ginnie from the Love and Logic series.  I'm planning to get the book so that I can actually understand it better, but basically it's all about teaching your kids natural consequences to their choices, which in turn takes the parent out of being the bad guy/blamer and into the role of teacher.  I really like the effect it has had on the kids so far.  For instance, the chore thing.  If I asked them to do their chores and then they goofed off for 20 minutes, I would go in do the chore and then say, "Darn, you didn't finish unloading the dishwasher, I had to.  Now you can pay me a dollar from your bank."  Or the other day when I asked Mr. M to get ready to pick up his grandpa from the airport.  He ignored me and played rather than get dressed.  So the time came to leave and we were all ready except for him.  So he came in his jammies, without shoes on.  He was furious.  But he eventually understood that it wasn't my fault he was cold and underdressed, it was his poor choice.  It goes the same way for good choices.  

Anywho, that's the long version of it.  So far, so good.  The other day Mr. M prayed that we would stick with this plan all summer because he liked it so much.  Obviously, if they are giving their 100%, I need to do the same.

Trying to avoid summer boredom...