Whale Done

My mom gave me a book called "Whale Done" a while back and I recently re-read it.

The theme is that in training killer whales, they always reward and look for the positive.

(Punishing and looking for the negative would be life threatening for the trainers)

I have been really trying to be more positive as a mother lately 

without dropping standards and expectations.

Here are a few programs that we have been doing:

1. Obedience Marble Jar 

 

Whenever they say "yes mom" and obey right away, 

they get to put a marble in the family marble jar.

When it is filled, we will go out to dinner or do a fun family outing.

(Each person has their own container to empty, so no one gets a free ride)

Hollland and Benson were the first to get their marbles all into the jar.

2. Reverence Pretzels

I hate to be negative during family scripture study and prayer,

so I have been bringing a pretzel jar each morning and handing out pretzels

to the kids who are on time, reverent, and actively participating.

(Hopefully the bribing will create good habits.)

3. Learning Charts

 I am the queen of charts.

(When performance is measured, performance improves)

They mark their piano and reading minutes- 

this earns their popcorn and peanut m&ms they get on movie night.

Here is Packer practicing the simplified hymns:

4. Chore Dollars

I have simplified their chores to 3 jobs during the week:

1. Cook DINNER on their dinner night

2. Do their own LAUNDRY on their laundry day.

3. Do their assigned SATURDAY housework/cleaning. ("Saturday Suds")

If their jobs were done on time, they earn $1 per chore each week.