Why Hello, Old Friend.

Oh, how I missed my blogging life while my parents were here.

As much as I loved having them visit, and wish they would just move here... (hint, hint) it was nice, but I missed my daily heroin fix (aka my blog). So I'm back old friend... did ya miss me?

Okay first off. I am super ecstatic about two things today, first this:

How I have missed this little red can.

Sigh.

Apparently Canada is too good to carry this sweet, sweet sin juice, so I picked up a case at Target today. I probably haven't had this for a good 2 years. But it found it's special place in my heart again today. Thank you USA!!

Second, my super deal of the day... Easter clearance dresses. I picked up this little pretty for $12 at Target. It's silk and I just love the back. So sweet.

It is super overcast and cloudy here today... which is why my pictures are so blurry and blah. Sucks when you are a natural light photog and you can't win when the weather doesn't play fair. Humph.

(WARNING... I'm going to talk about the Twilight books again)

So, speaking of overcast weather, it totally made me think that this is what Forks must be like. Poor Edward and Bella. So gloomy and wet. Sigh. I am beyond obsessed. I've read the first book over again. I may have even joined a message board for Twilight fans, but you won't judge me... right?

Okay, and lastly I been wanting to share this with you for a while, but haven't gotten around to taking some pictures until today.

While blog surfing, I came across this blog and she has the coolest token system implemented in her home and so I thought I would give it a try, and it has made a HUGE difference in our lives.

Let me tell you about it. Basically it's an earning and reward system. They earn tokens, which in turn let them "buy" stuff.

Here are our token jars (I need to re-do the girls pictures so their heads aren't so enormous and cut off at their foreheads)

(I had to white-out some phone numbers off my calendar, in case you were wondering what those smears were)

Anyways, I picked up these metal magnetic jars at Walmart for about $3 each. We use buttons as our "tokens".

They have a hole in the top, that we just slip the buttons in, so we're not constantly opening and closing the containers. Okay, so here's how it works. These are the things they can do to EARN buttons. (I laminated mine, because A. I love laminating and B. I can. You would of course would customize this to things that your children might be struggling with. For example our kids hate wearing clothes, so we give them 4 tokens if they keep them on all day. Maybe your kids aren't exhibitionists and they like to stay dressed, ours prefer their underwear. Sigh, they are just like their Father. LOL!

And these are the things they can cash their tokens in for. Again, customized for our family. Juice is a big one around here, but once you put a "price" on it, they don't want to constantly drink it all day long. And computer time is huge too, Hunter would spend all day and night at the computer if we let him. Now it's controlled and he has to work to play on it.

As part of their earning system, I made a chore list for each day. If they do all their chores they earn 3 tokens.

It really truly has been a lifesaver in our home. Although we have really good kids, (and I do truly mean that) they eat all their veggies, say their prayers and usually do what we ask of them. But somethings were just a battle, like dressing themselves, and now they do it gladly without being asked.

Another one would be the teeth brushing, we (meaning the parents) just got lazy with being so tired at night and not wanted to deal with toothpaste and mouth wash, but now that they can earn tokens they won't let up and constantly remind US to let them brush their teeth.

If nothing else, we are at least fostering good habits.

If you are wanting to do this, and have any questions, please ask away. There are a couple of things I wished I added to my list of things to earn (like them doing up their seat belts) but I can always change the cards later to suit our needs again.

Happy day! XOXO

Comments

[Andrea]

what dept. of Wal-mart did you find these?

[Andrea]

What dept. in Wal-Mart did you find these?

[jackie]

i just found your blog and i am thinking this is a great idea! thanks for sharing.

[Sue]

What a GREAT idea. I just found these containers in Australia at our Big W shop. They are only $1.98 each!

[Sue]

What a GREAT idea. I just found these containers in Australia at our Big W shop. They are only $1.98 each!

[A]

Very excited to read this post tonight. The past three weeks we've been attempting (rather haphazardly I must admit!) the token system. However, lack of containers and a good way to list their chores made the system run out of steam reallll fast. So, I'm off to Walmart to find these tomorrow!! Here's hoping they have 'em! Did you find them in the office or craft area? And one more q... did you put the hole in, or did they come that way??

Thanks!

[Lindsy]

Thank you! What great ideas (I found your site through a friend - hope you don't mind). I'm going to start working on this tonight! I have a 3-year-old but I think he will really enjoy this!

[Brandy]

You say you got those containers at Wal-mart? Where in Wal-mart? Those are seriously SOOO cool!

[Bridget]

I love your chore system! We just started it Friday and already I'm a more sane mom- Thanks!

[Allison]

This is a great idea!

[Michie]

How old is your youngest? My daughter is three and I'm wondering if she'd understand some sort of system like this. Mornings have been hard because she doesn't want me to go to work, so she's slow about putting on her coat, etc, which then stresses everyone out when we are trying to get to work or whatnot. But I bet if she could earn a little extra time before bed or some time to play outside or something, she just might move along. Cute idea.

[Bobbi-Jo]

This would work so well in our house. My only question is how do you keep track of the tokens? Do you stop what you're doing and put tokens in right then, or do you add them up and put them in the jars at the end of the day? I'd love to implement this..

[Tiffany]

That's such a great idea....I'm going to Walmart right now to try to find those tins.

Thanks!

[Lynn C.]

I am guessing that you live close to the US border and can frequently do some shopping there. NICE!! Very adorable dress.

I absolutely love your token idea! Much thought was put into that. You are fostering some really great habits. Especially the lesson of working for something. Too many adults still expect something for nothing these days. Way to go. Awesome idea!

[Amy]

We do something like this too, but you've got it organized to a tee. I like how everything is together and clearly laid out. There's no guess work involved plus it's user friendly for husbands.

[amanda]

Well, I guess Australia gets some bonus points for stocking Vanilla Coke... what are they thinking over there in Canada? :)

And that token system is very cute, very neat. Although you should try our system to get our kids to do what we want... Wes just whips out the ol' belt and starts snapping away...

Okay, Okay! Just kidding people...

[allison]

I love this Amy! I've been wanting to do something like this for a while.