The Independent mom

Token System for Good Behavior

BloggingQueen — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:09:41 +0000

The kids are getting to the point where they have certain responsibilities (chores) they must do daily but getting them to do these chores was always a struggle. Well, that is until we came up with this token system.

Basically it’s an earn to spend system. There are certain things they are expected to do each day and one that is special – this means they have 4 chances to earn tokens. Tokens are chips (poker chips actually) and one chip is equal to 50 tokens. They have the chance to earn 200 tokens (or 4 chips) every day. There is also the potential to have a chip taken away. They need these chips for things like video games, snacks, a play date with a friend, or a prize from the prize bag, etc…so they can save their chips for something fun or spend as they get.

Here is the official set up:

Rules:

Prize Bag:

This system is really helping them learn about saving and spending AND it gives them motivation to do their chores. As you can see by the rules, bad behavior causes them to lose a chip (or 50 tokens) so this also motivates them to behave.

Dante learned a valuable lesson last weekend. He saved up 10 chips (500 tokens) so he could get a magic eight ball from the prize bag. He loved it – until he wanted a snack and didn’t have a chip to ‘pay’ for the snack. Then he wanted to ‘return’ the magic eight ball and get his chips back. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way in this house!

Dante’s Drum Set

BloggingQueen — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:20:29 +0000

Well, it didn’t last very long. The drum set was obviously made poorly because it was for kids. Dante was a bit rough on it and so I am actually surprised it lasted as long as it did. The sabine metronome was salvaged at least

CJ ad I are not sure if we want to invest in another one right now or see if there is something else (instrument wise) he would like to try. He did like the drums but he never wanted to practice.

Less Than 2 Months of School

BloggingQueen — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:04:55 +0000

I cannot believe the school year is almost over! Of course I need to take the kids shopping for summer clothes and maybe even new sneakers – even though they got them in the fall. They are so rough with them! Oh and book bags! UGH! I wish I could find a book bag that would actually last an entire school year! Dante and Olivia are both on their second one!

Usually we’re also getting ready to head to Disney World around this time – I’m bummed we have to wait until October – it’s gonna be a long summer.

Motivation

BloggingQueen — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 17:02:21 +0000

A many of you know, I am a freelance writer (part time) and every now and then I must do research and write on topis I do not know too much about. This morning it was all about chili burn weight loss and the side effects of taking this to lose weight.

Personally, I don’t take any supplements to lose weight, I simply try to make wise food choices, drink water, and utilize the treadmill. The treadmill is the one that suffers. I hate it. If only I lived in Golden Oaks – a community outside of Walt Disney World, I would have this pool to exercise in and that would certainly keep me motivated!

Building Memories

BloggingQueen — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:00:13 +0000

Guest post of the week by Brittany Booker

After a recent job promotion my family had to up and move to Texas. We got a great deal on our energy bill, See More. My family is adjusting well to the cross country move. At first my kids were not too keen on the idea of moving away from all of their friends. But as time has gone on, they have adjusted well. My wife is also adjusting. She had a very close group of women that she was very sad to leave. They would get together every week, drink wine and discuss the current events in their life. I always looked forward to ladies night because that meant that I got to have kids night. I would always do something special with the kids, such as take them bowling or skating. Our most favorite thing to do however, was go fishing. I grew up going fishing with my father and that was some of the best memories that I have. I am glad that I have the means and time to build these special memories with my children.

Beauty Stuff

BloggingQueen — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:55:00 +0000

Got my nose pieced a week and a half ago – and I love it! However, I think my face is done – tongue ring, lip ring, eyebrow bar, nose ring AND tattoo…

Now I’m looking for dead sea salts to use for cleansing my face.

The Heck With the Yard

BloggingQueen — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:02:00 +0000

CJ and I discussed starting and herb garden. Then it went to a vegetable garden. Then to which plants for home gardens would be best. I just don’t know. I am tired of thinking about it. I don’t have a green thumb anyway! BLAH

My Baby Girl

BloggingQueen — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:23:00 +0000

This is my Olivia, 3rd grade, growing up so fast.

Now that she got her ears pierced, she is already looking for new earrings to wear when her ears are healed. I told her I would keep an eye out for daily jewelry deals I sometimes see online. I love doing all the mommy-daughter stuff.

Happy Birthday Olivia

BloggingQueen — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:45:00 +0000

My Bug turned 9 today. I cannot believe she is 9! I know, every parent says that but sheesh! It feels like just yesterday I was getting personalized baby gifts at my baby shower and now today, she is 9! NINE!

Here she is, the day after getting her ears pierced

Olivia Got Her Ears Pierced – The Right Way

BloggingQueen — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 01:22:00 +0000

Made the mistake of getting Olivia’s ears pierced at the mall. They didn’t heal right and I felt awful. He wanted to have them redone so I contacted the girl who did my piercings – Desiree, she works at The Quilian Tattoo in Allentown.

Livi and I went to see her and she explained the entire procedure to Olivia. A few months passed. I found this article about why going to a professional is better than going to the mall: Don’t Pierce Your Daughter’s Ears at the Mall

After reading that article and speaking to Desiree, I was convinced having her ears pierced professionally was the right thing to do. Yesterday Cherie and I took her to have her ears pierced by Desiree. Desiree had us come in before the shop opened – which I thought was extremely nice!

Having her ears prepped:

First ear:

Second ear:

Did it hurt? Yup. Did it last long? Nope. Is she happy? Yup. And as a mother, I am so glad had it done the right way!

On The Quilian Tattoo Facebook Page:

Little miss Olivia here decided she was going to get her ears pierced the right way instead of going to the mall. She came in for a consult a couple months ago then came in today to get her earlobes done for her birthday. Happy Birthday Olivia! You did awesome!