I'm not sure that I ever posted about our bean jar. Did I? Some time ago, I enlisted this handy little tool that I often used in my classroom to encourage and reward positive behavior. Its simple really....catch the kids (in this case, Luke) doing great things, and as a reward, they get to add a bean (or several, depending on the behavior) to the bean jar. When the jar has been filled, a fun surprise awaits!! I put this to good use several months ago when Luke was having a rough time and having tantrums OFTEN! It worked like a charm for the purpose of alleviating those tantrums and he filled his little jar a couple of times before the need for it kinda just fizzled out.
But recently, we've been having a little problem with WHINING! Lots and LOTS of whining, crying, and even some back talk going on in our house! And mostly over silly, insignificant things! It isn't unheard of for Luke to break into a whiny, mini-fit simply because the dog came over and brushed her wet nose against his elbow when he didn't want her to. Seriously? And then of-course there are those to-many-to-count times when we ask him to put his toys away or get ready for bed, or turn the tv off...or...or...or... well...you get the picture. So...it's back to the bean jar we go!!
I started yesterday, after explaining how he earns beans and what constitutes good behavior and behavior that will be completely ignored (yes....using that tactic too when it comes to the negative behavior) and so far, it is working like a charm again! By the afternoon, the crying and fits had literally been cut in half! And the response to simple requests to pick up toys or turn off the tv??? Met with compliance! Yaaaayyyyy!!! The effect in the household has been pretty evident too, as there is a greater sense of peace, and, I must admit, a lot more patience from me! Its wonderful! And much needed!!!!
And, just in case you were wondering....here is our little bean jar. Its tiny, really. Only holds 50 beans, and when he earns, on average, 10 beans a day, that little surprise is just around the corner! :)
But recently, we've been having a little problem with WHINING! Lots and LOTS of whining, crying, and even some back talk going on in our house! And mostly over silly, insignificant things! It isn't unheard of for Luke to break into a whiny, mini-fit simply because the dog came over and brushed her wet nose against his elbow when he didn't want her to. Seriously? And then of-course there are those to-many-to-count times when we ask him to put his toys away or get ready for bed, or turn the tv off...or...or...or... well...you get the picture. So...it's back to the bean jar we go!!
I started yesterday, after explaining how he earns beans and what constitutes good behavior and behavior that will be completely ignored (yes....using that tactic too when it comes to the negative behavior) and so far, it is working like a charm again! By the afternoon, the crying and fits had literally been cut in half! And the response to simple requests to pick up toys or turn off the tv??? Met with compliance! Yaaaayyyyy!!! The effect in the household has been pretty evident too, as there is a greater sense of peace, and, I must admit, a lot more patience from me! Its wonderful! And much needed!!!!
And, just in case you were wondering....here is our little bean jar. Its tiny, really. Only holds 50 beans, and when he earns, on average, 10 beans a day, that little surprise is just around the corner! :)
In other news......
I had a super productive day today! :) And that always makes me happy! How I love scratching things off that perpetual to-do list! :) Ellie and I were the dynamic duo when it came to running errands this morning! In the span of time that Luke was in preschool, we went to Michael's for some work and crafting necessities (ie bags for packaging my clients' photographs, craft sticks and cellophane bags for the carmel apples we are supposed to make with Luke's classmate Kendall tomorrow, some ribbon for thanksgiving decorating and a few note pads for...you guessed it...more to-do lists! LOL). After Michael's we were off to the christian bookstore for a few cards and a thank you gift for my mentor, of which I did not find anything suitable! Darn! Then we headed out to Macy's to return a dress that I had purchased for the wedding this weekend and find a more suitable one, which I did! Yay! (And all in the span of 25 minutes!!) THEN...we headed back towards school, dropped off an order to a client, hit up another christian bookstore to hopefully find that gift (which I did!!) and with exactly 35 minutes left until dismissal, had time to do the grocery shopping!!!! I pulled into the parking lot at school with an entire 7 minutes left to spare too! Phew! What a morning! But it was wonderful because Ellie was an absolute saint, despite being dragged in and out of her car seat and stroller all morning, with a runny nose to boot! SUCH a good girl!
So....needless to say, I sign off tonight with a much happier and lighter mood than in my previous post. :) Productivity, happy kids, and focusing on the positives does wonders for my soul! :)
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