Just the other night, we read some classic bedtime excuses from Eric and April's kids. You would have thought Jacob read them too, for the winner he came up with tonight.
We had a different schedule today with a co-op class, so he went to Tot Time at the school gym with another mom, and thus didn't get his 3 chores done...feed Abby, collect trash from all the rooms in the house, and vacuum the living room carpet (every other day). I was urging him to get them done before Bible study tonight, but it didn't happen.
(If anyone has tips on increasing the speed and efficiency at which little boys get toys picked up, I'll pay you good money for them. Okay, maybe will just shower you with overwhelming gratitude and thanks. But I am desperate).
Anyway, he had been in bed, after fighting with an attitude and arguing through jammies, teeth brushing, prayers, drinks, potty, night light on, head on pillow, everything...thought we were done for the night when all was quiet for about 15 minutes.
He suddenly and silently reappeared at the end of the hallway, sidled up to Mark, and in a very serious voice said "I can't go to bed yet. I forgot to vacuum."
And I might add that I was most impressed that with that comment made in a room full of adults, not one snicker was let out until he was back in his room! :)
1 comment:
Hilarious.
On the efficiency thing, that's a challenge. The main reason it's a challenge is because "fast enough" is subjective, not objective, and therefore pretty hard to concretely discipline or incent.
Here are two ideas.
1. Set the bench mark. We've seen this described as "three candy speed." One time, when it's a wreck, pick out three of his favorite candies and put them on the counter and if he gets the room picked up as fast as he possibly can run without stopping, the he gets the three candies. Once. (Assuming he does it,) you then explain that *that fast* is now defined as "three candy speed." It's not a bribe (you only do it once), it's a bench mark, because now, whenever you need to have it done fast, you say "I need you do it in 'three candy speed.'" It's more objective. Maybe.
2. Mostly what we do, though, is set timers. If you don't have it done by the time the timer beeps (10 minutes, or whatever is reasonable), you have a consequence (whatever makes sense for the action). We have a couple of kids that really really thrive on timers (Christian and Eden).
Eric
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