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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Bringing Back the Rainbow Chart. And Are Terrible 6's a Thing?

I know my girls will read this one day.

So I want to be gentle.

But, Ashlyn Grace.

2014 has been a sassy year for you so far.

And it's time to regulate.

Discipline is a tricky thing.

Personal to each family.

No one has all the answers.


But this system worked well for Kayla years ago.

And we started back up again today.

And we've had the smoothest morning in months.

I will speak for my children.

They like structure and organization.

They like goals.

They like clear rules and consequences.

They like reasonable rewards for doing good.

This discipline system incorporates all of these things.

And makes me sane.

So I thought I'd share it.



Right click above image, save as, print and have at it.

It's pretty simple, really.

Kids start on green each morning.

Each child has their name written on a separate magnet.

Break a family rule?

Have child move their magnet to yellow.

Break another family rule?

Move to red.

Choose from consequence jar.

Consequences are written on large popsicle sticks that we keep in a mason jar.

Obviously, these will be different for each family and each child even.

No iPad time for that day.

Early bedtime.

Time out in room for 30 minutes.

Your choice.

The thought of no iPad for a day sends Ashlyn into a frantic tizzy.

So that's her button.

So her jar has about 10 of those.

That's another great thing.

You can choose the amount something appears which will increase the probability it is picked.

Same goes with rewards.

Catch them being kind and nice?

Have them move their button to blue.

Catch them again in the same day?

Move to purple.

Chose a reward.


These are also written on popsicle sticks and kept in a separate mason jar.

Be sure not to mix them up.

Because that's future therapy for sure.

You don't have to go crazy.

Extra book at bedtime.

Extended bedtime.

A movie on Netflix.

Special dessert or treat.

You know what your kids love.

And hear me out.

The goal is not to create greedy, performance-based robots.

The goal is that my girls grow to understand and live out the verse at the top.

I want our home to be one of love.

Joy.

Peace.

Patience.

Kindness.

Goodness.

Gentleness.

Self-control.

And when it's not, I want to take action to fix it.

I recognize that they are little humans.

And have bad days just like adults.

So grace abounds.

Much grace.

For them and for me.

Every day is a fresh start.


And this little bugger was up all night.

So she's on red today.

5 comments:

  1. good stuff, my friend!! is she 6 1/2? because i've found all the 1/2 years = rough sailing.

    (that little tongue and cute toes move little miss red back into purple territory if you ask me)

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  2. Imagine me cheering you on at the sidelines!

    We've been consistent to discipline in the way that was best for each of our children, and I think my kiddos are pretty terrific (unless they are "horror moanal" or I am, than you don't want to know what I think).

    I had a terrible 7 with my boy. You won't have a terrible 7.

    XO!

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  3. You are a genius! I'm totally going to do this! I especially like stacking the consequence/reward jars.

    And what about 8? My 8 year old daughter comes home quite...condescending?...elite?...to cool for? her sisters. Usually she's pretty much the sweetest girl ever, but after school??? Sheesh!

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  4. Good luck, sister. Way to muster up the energy to do something. :)

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  5. i just tried this system for the first time today. I explained what was going to happen at bedtime last night and my almost 4 year old was actually excited about it :) He has had a GREAT day and has only had a purple reward and NO reds....if you knew my child, you would know that he NEVER has a day without consequences. The novelty may wear off, but you definitely saved my today. And really, today is all I have time to focus on, so THANK YOU!

    ReplyDelete