18 days...
My kids, I love them dearly, but the bickering, yelling, screaming has got to stop! They are currently, calmly playing Wii, they are a prince and a princess after all. Ok,ok, so really, Allie is screaming cause she wants to play "the cow game," Jonathan is changing all the Mii people and yelling at Allie, and Allie is crying because she doesn't want to be "fat!" (her Mii person that is, she will never be fat) Meanwhile, I'm trying to ignore them by yelling at them to stop yelling as I read one of my favorite blogs!
In 18 days, I will be able to read my said favorite blog while listening to Allie calmly play with her toys (the Wii will not be on, nor will the TV for movies), because the crazy, overbearing, love able big brother, Jonathan, will be at SCHOOL!!!!! Oh the joy!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love having Jonathan home. He's a great kid! Loves to play games with mommy, ride bike, make money (we'll get to that later), cuddle, is very affectionate, loves to watch movies, and play Wii. You know, normal almost 8 year old things. However, with moving, and being down to one vehicle...well, he's a Wii bit stir crazy! Not to mention, he misses his friends! Time to go back to school and he (and I) cannot wait! Seriously, the kid asks daily, "how many more days till school starts?"
So, back to "makin' money," I know you're curious. Well, Jonathan loves money! He will do just about anything to make a buck. When it is time to spend it, he searches the Internet for deals at Wal Mart, Target, Toys R Us, Ebay, and Craigslist! I'm not kidding, he will research for days on end and then say, "let's go to (insert a store) where I can get a great deal!" Once at said store, he will go through, pick items out and then figure out what he can get and still have money left. It's amazing how he has such a concept of what a dollar is!
Ok, ok, so to make the money...right now, if he reads everyday for ten minutes, he can earn 20 bucks when he goes back to school (so, 3 weeks worth of reading). If he misses a day, it's 1 dollar off! Trust me, it's quite the motivator and he doesn't get an allowance. It's more of a reward system and instead of buying him every little thing he wants at the store, he has to spend his own money. It works great! Other ways he earns, helping his sister pick up her mess (not always, but once in awhile, you need a dollar motivator), good behavior (ex. if you are good and don't fight, yell, etc. all day, you can earn 5 dollars. Every time I have to correct your behavior, it's a dollar off.), extra jobs around the house (he empties the dishwasher, picks up his messes, and helps clean when asked without payment), good behavior at school...you get the picture. Some kids get points they can use to earn a toy, Jonathan earns money to buy whatever he desires. It works for him. Allie on the other hand, well she has no clue the value of money, so a special privilege or a word of affirmation works for her.
As for today, I will read my favorite blog while listening to them bicker, I will listen to Jonathan read, we will head to Toys R US (money burnin a hole), and count the days!
In 18 days, I will be able to read my said favorite blog while listening to Allie calmly play with her toys (the Wii will not be on, nor will the TV for movies), because the crazy, overbearing, love able big brother, Jonathan, will be at SCHOOL!!!!! Oh the joy!!!!
Don't get me wrong, I love having Jonathan home. He's a great kid! Loves to play games with mommy, ride bike, make money (we'll get to that later), cuddle, is very affectionate, loves to watch movies, and play Wii. You know, normal almost 8 year old things. However, with moving, and being down to one vehicle...well, he's a Wii bit stir crazy! Not to mention, he misses his friends! Time to go back to school and he (and I) cannot wait! Seriously, the kid asks daily, "how many more days till school starts?"
So, back to "makin' money," I know you're curious. Well, Jonathan loves money! He will do just about anything to make a buck. When it is time to spend it, he searches the Internet for deals at Wal Mart, Target, Toys R Us, Ebay, and Craigslist! I'm not kidding, he will research for days on end and then say, "let's go to (insert a store) where I can get a great deal!" Once at said store, he will go through, pick items out and then figure out what he can get and still have money left. It's amazing how he has such a concept of what a dollar is!
Ok, ok, so to make the money...right now, if he reads everyday for ten minutes, he can earn 20 bucks when he goes back to school (so, 3 weeks worth of reading). If he misses a day, it's 1 dollar off! Trust me, it's quite the motivator and he doesn't get an allowance. It's more of a reward system and instead of buying him every little thing he wants at the store, he has to spend his own money. It works great! Other ways he earns, helping his sister pick up her mess (not always, but once in awhile, you need a dollar motivator), good behavior (ex. if you are good and don't fight, yell, etc. all day, you can earn 5 dollars. Every time I have to correct your behavior, it's a dollar off.), extra jobs around the house (he empties the dishwasher, picks up his messes, and helps clean when asked without payment), good behavior at school...you get the picture. Some kids get points they can use to earn a toy, Jonathan earns money to buy whatever he desires. It works for him. Allie on the other hand, well she has no clue the value of money, so a special privilege or a word of affirmation works for her.
As for today, I will read my favorite blog while listening to them bicker, I will listen to Jonathan read, we will head to Toys R US (money burnin a hole), and count the days!
Comments
I am so impressed with Jonathan. SO impressed. I can't believe he searches out deals so well - most kids his age don't even understand what a deal is! You've done a fantastic job of teaching him.
Husband just walked in with the groceries and said, "Come here, I got you some treats," so I guess I'd better go see! :p