Encouraging Right Behaviour

One of the ongoing challenges in our home and lives is how to encourage and reward right behaviour instead of just disciplining inappropriate behaviour. Ultimately we came up with a goal sheet as a way to refocus our home and help improve the general atmosphere.

We found the most important thing was to create a system that was easy to use and with a reward that the kids really wanted. For us that was computer time. Each day the kids have 6 checks they can earn, each worth 5 minutes of computer time. If they have a perfect day they earn a bonus checkmark. Also, bonus checkmarks can be earned sparingly for exceptional behaviour (and by sparingly I mean about 1 week). Any day a child earns less than 4 checkmarks they earn 0 minutes of computer time for the day as they have not met the minimal standard. The minutes earned one week become the free computer time (as opposed to computer time for school work) the next week. We have found it to be a simple and effective system that helps to encourage right living and reduces the begging for computer at the same time.

Over time the goals we use have changed, with a mixture of home and behaviour goals. The current chart represents our focus on attitude and respect, and that home and school completion are more expectations than goals.

A couple people have asked me for my chart lately so I thought I would share it with you here.

Having said that, I have found it has not been very helpful with my seven year old. It is too overwhelming for her, and she gets discouraged. Instead I have given her a blank chart and one goal - obedience the first time she is asked. When she obeys right away, including completing the task (she is highly distractible) she earns a checkmark or smiley face, depending what she feels like putting on. Once her chart is full, she will redeem it for a prize from my prize box... you know, the one I need to start by the time she finishes her chart! LOL

Honouring My Mum

My mum is an amazing woman and and an amazing volunteer.
I am in awe of the amount she gives of herself, serving on and with different committees and groups to enrich the lives of all in her community and her world.
Apparently I am not the only one who feels that way.
Last week the kids and I had the privilege of going home to attend an appreciation dinner held in my mum's honour for her years as mayor and community volunteer.

Thank you Mum for all you do, and for the example you and Dad have set for your kids and grandkids of what true community service looks like.
We love you!

Wall Hangings with Character

I did it!  I finally made my first crafty project of the year! These wall hangings were originally meant to be filled only with photos, and given as Christmas presents but I ran out of time! Then we decided to give each member of our family a character trait to work on for the year, and I had the brilliant idea of incorporating them into the wall hangings!
Each child's wall hanging has 4 sections, all cut out of Stampin Up's Top Notes die. They were then each covered with scrapbook paper. Tanner's is camouflage because he loves all things military, Nicolas' is nautical as he has started collecting models and I thought it would co-ordinate nicely, and Amanda's is pink and blue as they are her favourite colours.

I printed out their names, character traits (with a brief definition) and a complimentary Bible verse onto regular paper and modpodged them on to the first three sections. Then I discovered the modpodge makes the printer ink run, so I printed them again, on white cardstock, and used Zipdry to glue them on over the original writing. The final section of each one has a copy of our favourite family photo. Then the fun part, which Amanda and I did together - embellishing them all! The funny part is that I was most worried about how to do Tanner's yet I think his worked the best! I found some great stickers at Michael's craft store, then a friend of mine found some army trinkets there on clearance, including great words like "army", "navy", "air force" and "courage". I also hung the  trinket of the helicopter off the bottom.

Nicolas' is done with a mixture of brads (anchor and starfish) as well as with travel stickers. I am not thrilled with the final result of his, but he loved it so that is good!

Amanda's - I wanted to do more to hers but she wouldn't let me! Very ironic as she is usually an over-embellishment queen! It still looks good, though, just not as sparkly as I envisioned!

And that is my first crafty project of the year done! Woohoo! Now to figure out which of the ideas bubbling in my head to turn into reality next!