I have been at the END of my ROPE with my kids lately. They wake up fighting over who gets what color plate at breakfast, fight all day, then go to bed fighting over toothbrushes and storybooks. They were even fighting yesterday about who got to pray first. I about ready to drop them off at boarding school and pick them up when they are in their twenties. Gainfully employed with their own apartments.
So this morning I was upstairs brushing my teeth when the mirror started rattling due to Gracie’s screaming two floors below. I ran downstairs, thinking she must be half-dead, but discovered that she was that upset because Ellie was merely looking at her. It was time to get serious. So we sat down on the kitchen floor and had a little chat. About loving each other, obeying God and being respectful. While I was at it, I threw in a talk about how we are to “Do everything without arguing…” since lately my kids have started that. They argue with everything I say, from “Sit down in your chair” to “Come here” to “Stop hitting your sister.” Everything is met with a “But, Mom, [enter excuse here].”
So today we tried this:
And if they have lots and lots of stickers at the end of they day, they will get a special, secret surprise. Worked like a charm. Only 1 fight (over who would be the ‘prince’ while dancing to princess music). No hitting. No screaming. No time-outs and no disciplines. Very few teary moments. (Even while having a friend’s 18 month old hanging around today.) The problem?
Now I have to come up with a super special secret surprise!! Any ideas?
About Melissa
go to the dollar store and stock up on the party favor stuff. you can get packs of bracelets, necklaces and stickers (or whatever), open it all up and dump it in a bag. you could even let them pick their prize. or scratch that, just pull the prize out of a bag and hand it to them. i have bought toys for my friend’s kids as a bribe (boys though!) and it is amazing how entertained a 4 year old can be by a truck that cost $1 (even if the wheels do fall off!)
oooooooooooo good idea. dollar store tomorrow!
today i ended up doing this.
You could let them play with Mommy’s makeup. It might not lowe your aggravation, but the pictures would be highly amusing for those of us that read your blog.
Yeah – they’ve already done that. Except they colored all over the bathroom, not their faces.
Ellie wants to say hello to you all:
ELLIE HI! GRACE
Oh gosh- I can relate… my boys are getting like this! They love to pick out something at Target… or candy. Would your girls think that’s a good prize?
P.S.
I’ve got another photo tag going on and this time two participants will win a prize package… Bloggers Without Makeup- if you dare!
Steph
oooooooooooooh! I love Dayna’s idea. Are they too little to go to the nail salon and get their nails done? or toes painted??
Hi Ellie!! =)