We are trying something new with Max in our journey in parenthood. I think I mentioned a few months ago that we were doing 1, 2, 3 Magic with Max. This was working well but it was getting to the point where time outs were not having the desired effect on Max. Did I mention that Max has 2 VERY stubborn parents? Ha ha!
So I was looking online for something more. Finally I saw the Accountable Kids program. This looked like it might work for him. However right now, with all that we have going on, we don’t have the funds to get something that may work. I do have time though, and for a while I did work in a print shop and did type setting. So I figured I knew enough to make up my version of the system.
This is the end result. I only spent about $6 on it in total, not including the wood glue that we had, but was dried out. That $6 was spent on card stock for the cards and a dowel for the pegs. We had the rest of the stuff that we used.
On the cork board (bottom) I have mandatory chores. These are chores that Max must complete. To use the word “chore” may be a bit strong. It is more “things” he needs to do. This morning that was, getting dressed, taking vitamin, feeding the dog, washing hands, and doing school work. He has afternoon and evening chores as well.
Below that we have optional chores. These are chores that Max can do to earn extra tickets. However they are optional. Right now he has, say please and thank you, help mommy or daddy, help with laundry, tell when Fenway needs water, and take a bath (which tomorrow will be mandatory if not done today).
When a chore is completed he will put it on the board above the cork board, in the “completed chores” peg. He will then get a ticket that he can use for 5 minutes of TV time (this is Max choice TV not adults watching TV time) or 2 tickets and he can get a desert that night (one desert per day). These tickets can also be taken away for bad behavior (plan is to use 1, 2, 3 and then take away ticket instead of a time out). Tickets get hung on this board till he uses them.
Should Max complete all of his mandatory chores for a day, he gets a stamp on his reward card (last peg on board). When he fills up this up this card (9 spots) he gets a special treat or after we have the next child, he will get a date alone with mommy or daddy.
Finally the last card Max can earn is an “exceptional ladybug”. This is for when Max does things that are above and beyond what he normally would do. An example of this would be if he was good through the whole church service, or if I knew he was tired and he stayed awake on a car ride back home without me prompting him, or things like that. An Exceptional Ladybug is worth 3 tickets or can be saved up for a bigger reward then his reward card.
As you can see I have instructions above his peg board, and above that I have a shelf where I keep unused tickets and have a timer for when he watches TV.
It may seem like a complicated system but I think after a short period of time he will get it and will not only be better behaved, but also be a contributing member of this household. At least that is my hope.
So far today he is excitedly doing his chores as he wants to earn tickets. Hopefully this will continue.