Raising Princesses and Superheros!

I've tried many a reward system in my home, but none has worked so well as the following reward system that came to me out of desperation - ok, mostly some good inspiration! This system rewards them for doing something heroic; like doing something without asking, going to bed without a tantrum, excellent schoolwork. It also rewards them for doing things politely, like helping mommy when asked, listening the first time. It also allows me to let them know I am displeased or upset with a particular behavior; like whining, fighting - all after being warned to stop.

The coins are the same coins I used at the girls birthday party. I purchased sticker paper and downloaded some free clip art online into Word and printed them on the sticker paper. I then spent about an hour cutting and sticking the clip art onto coins and put all the coins into a special box, mine happened to be a treasure box. I introduced it to the girls in a "formal" meeting and told them how they could turn the coins into rewards. I gave them their own place to put the coins and they could look a them and count them annytime. At this age, their rewards are closer together and the points they earn are fewer. Here's how the coins turn into points:

The superhero coin is worth 2 points. I've given these coins to them for stopping a bad habit, helping when not asked, going to bed without a fuss or tantrum, having a tantrum free day, accomplishing a large task, and other really awesome things they do.

The Princess coin is worth 1 point. I've given these to the girls when they've done a chore really well, practiced the piano, pick-up after themselves, be polite to their sister, when they play well together, and any other really nice or really polite thing they do.

The Oops coin is worth 1 point and is for those moments when they just aren't listening. Time out just doesn't work in our home, and since they are old enough to understand this reward system, an oops replaces time out for us. I give these coins if they aren't listening, being rude, fighting, doing something repeatedly after I've already asked them to stop and any other thing I deem "oops" worthy. I will often couple an "oops" coin with a bit of time on our couch with a book to calm down - especially if they received the coin because they were fighting.

I'm not going to say it's a perfect system, but it is portable - we took it with us to Utah, and it does allow them to see first-hand the rewards of doing good and when they aren't be good. For us, they need seven points to receive the "reward". We sit down after so many days and I help them add up the coins and take away the oops points. Cici didn't receive her reward the other day, so we sat down and talked about why and what she could do to earn more points. There are so many variables with these coins - if you have any questions - I'm all ears! Feel free to use the clip art coins I have on this blog if you are interested!

We hope to go for a night at Acorn Cottage, otherwise, we won't be able to go until December! Have a great weekend my friends!