We decided to try out Montserrat's idea for teaching children how to use media wisely.
Our twist on it is that instead of giving them their coupons at the beginning of the week for free, they have to earn the coupons by doing chores the week before.
One chore = One coupon.
Each child has the opportunity to perform one chore every AM & PM, Monday through Friday.
What are their chores? Stuff we really need done daily such as setting the table, cleaning bathrooms and sweeping off the deck (our trees drop lots of stuff!) They are also required to get dressed, make their beds, and brush their teeth and hair each morning by themselves...no reward.
Each coupon has a cash value attached to it, and if they don't use their coupons by the end of the week, they can turn them in for an actual allowance, which Montse also does.
It's interesting to see their little brains doing backflips trying to decide if they want to spend their coupons or not.
And wouldn't you know it, all three kids were up at the crack of dawn today completing their morning chores: cleaning all the bathrooms, sweeping off the front and back decks and trampoline, and putting away the silverware.
(I, on the other hand, am still in my pjs! Tsk, tsk!) :)
So far, they've decided to blow their coupons all on the first day of the week.
The rest of the week is going to be either very quiet...or extremely loud. :)
We just started Accountable Kids three weeks ago, and it's really similar in theory. Their website has a video explaining it. I'm quite optimistic and it's been working very well in the children taking responsibility for their chores and free time. Good luck in your adventure. It sounds similar to what's been thing on over here :)
ReplyDeleteQuestion? How do you monitor the TV coupons. With my kids if one child cashed in their TV coupon the others would for sure plop down to watch too. Do you take one from them too or make each child do their time alone?...which would be hard to do I would think.
ReplyDeleteWe are only a few days into this, but if you click on the link, Montserrat explains...the kids can't watch the others play video games or TV unless they pay up. So, I guess they watch a lot of movies on their laptop so if someone wants to watch, they use headphones so that others aren't also watching. Make sense? And if they watch a movie as a family or something then it's "free"!
DeleteBrilliant! I love it. Love love it.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea. I think I'll pass it along to my DIL who complains that her five-year-old is already addicted to iPod games, despite the fact that she restricts them quite a bit.
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It is the building or acquiring of the appetite for gaming that Id like to prevent here. So far even a small taste is very addictive for most kids. I think this is going to teach us all a lot!
DeleteI could use some coupons for me...lol!
ReplyDeleteYou do come up with some super ideas.
ReplyDeleteBlessings on this one; I am going to share it with my children.
How did week 1 go? I'm curious to hear!
ReplyDeleteThis is such an awesome idea. i'm not a mom yet, but i'm already stressing about how to keep my kids at least somewhat 'unplugged'. i'll have to keep this idea in mind!
ReplyDeleteSo far itS working GREAT!!
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