description
Computer Pass - parenting success
Posted 06-04-2009 at 01:59 PM by Erudite
I just have to tell you all about a parenting success. On Monday this week, I made a "computer pass". The kids have to do 5 items before they're allowed to play on the computer or watch TV. So I made a little paper that they could fill out each day and hand to me. Here are the rules:
- The paper has to be filled out by 3pm or they don't get computer time.
- If Mom has to do excessive bugging or actually DOES the cleaning, they don't get the pass that day.
- If they sneak in and get on the computer before they've earned the pass, they lose the pass opportunity today and tomorrow.
The five items on the list are:
- Personal Grooming - they have to brush their teeth, brush their hair, and get dressed.
- Room Maintenance - this includes making their beds, the floor being clean enough to vaccuum, and everything put away (excluding large toys that may have been set up the day before).
- Zone Cleaning - this includes daily maintenance items and 1 weekly cleaning item.
- Piano practice (for the littlest one not in piano, he has to read at least 2 stories from our easy reader book), and
- Learning time - this is something we set up at the beginning of the summer in their goals; it includes a weekly trip to the library, memorizing and presenting a poem or scripture, Faith in God activities, etc.
Ok, so here's the success. My 6 yo ds brings ME a book to read to me and vacuums the family room without being bugged. My daughters get on the piano without being asked. My oldest ds (13) has yet to really get into it, but we're working on it. I just feel like a successful parent when I read daily with my 6yo.
The pass puts the responsibility on them, which is something I was working hard on them learning as a part of the "do your own homework" process that I started early this year with my oldest (see the book review on Ending the Homework Hassle if you don't know what I'm talking about). They can choose to read books all day or play with their own imaginations and not do the jobs, but then they forfeit something that does help in the boredom of summer days. (And I have NO problem with them reading books all day or playing games of their own imagination...though I don't really like the messy house that results.)
Anyway, I thought I'd share the success and the ideas.
Hope it helps someone!
- The paper has to be filled out by 3pm or they don't get computer time.
- If Mom has to do excessive bugging or actually DOES the cleaning, they don't get the pass that day.
- If they sneak in and get on the computer before they've earned the pass, they lose the pass opportunity today and tomorrow.
The five items on the list are:
- Personal Grooming - they have to brush their teeth, brush their hair, and get dressed.
- Room Maintenance - this includes making their beds, the floor being clean enough to vaccuum, and everything put away (excluding large toys that may have been set up the day before).
- Zone Cleaning - this includes daily maintenance items and 1 weekly cleaning item.
- Piano practice (for the littlest one not in piano, he has to read at least 2 stories from our easy reader book), and
- Learning time - this is something we set up at the beginning of the summer in their goals; it includes a weekly trip to the library, memorizing and presenting a poem or scripture, Faith in God activities, etc.
Ok, so here's the success. My 6 yo ds brings ME a book to read to me and vacuums the family room without being bugged. My daughters get on the piano without being asked. My oldest ds (13) has yet to really get into it, but we're working on it. I just feel like a successful parent when I read daily with my 6yo.
The pass puts the responsibility on them, which is something I was working hard on them learning as a part of the "do your own homework" process that I started early this year with my oldest (see the book review on Ending the Homework Hassle if you don't know what I'm talking about). They can choose to read books all day or play with their own imaginations and not do the jobs, but then they forfeit something that does help in the boredom of summer days. (And I have NO problem with them reading books all day or playing games of their own imagination...though I don't really like the messy house that results.)
Anyway, I thought I'd share the success and the ideas.
Hope it helps someone!
Total Comments 5
Comments
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What a great idea! I may have to try this or something similar. We already have "finish chores- earn video game or computer time" but this is a great way of making it their responsibility. Thanks, E for the idea!!Posted 06-05-2009 at 02:07 PM by bookworm
- I like it!Posted 06-05-2009 at 03:16 PM by natickgirl
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Like the 'pass' idea. Keep letting us know of future successes.Posted 06-05-2009 at 06:13 PM by 5ft Diva - Erudite- I wanted to let you know what a HUGE success this has been at my house! Thank you so much for sharing the idea! I still get some resistance, but the kids are really taking more personal responsibility for the items on the cards. I'm so excited to have them in the drivers seat on their chores and grooming, etc. Thank you!!!Posted 06-18-2009 at 01:12 PM by bookworm
- Well cool! That just makes my day. Sometimes I feel like my brain is being sucked slowly out of my head and nothing good ever happens there. I'm glad something did!!Posted 06-18-2009 at 05:54 PM by Erudite
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