Sunday, March 15, 2009

Mom stuff and a Mason Jar obsession

Seriously - should I contact the Mason jar company and tell them of my problem...
If you have ever checked out my 21 days blog you will see my sic (that's a good thing) spice and baking cupboard.

But scrappy stuff - all my ribbon... I have all my flowers and brads and doodads in masons too - tucked away in drawers. Any hoo...


Now it's PARENTING with mason jars...
Here's the pic:


Now I will explain the story - the kids were killing me starting off March break with the bickering -- isn't that a great word by the way? So my sister Laura came up the starts of this idea and I finished her thought and got started right away Saturday morning.

I gave each kid a jar and foamy stickers. Told them to put their name on it and make it their own.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the table - I made these too. I was trying to come up with a nice word that would be the counterpart to Brat starting with a C - Charm isn't quite right - but we've moved on from that already.

Here's how it works.
The Brat jar has loads of buttons.
If you whine, hit, cry, tattletail (another great word) talk-back, say No to Mommy or Daddy etc. you get a button from the Brat jar put in the jar with your name. To get the Brat button out of your jar - you have to do a chore around the house without complaining.
If at the end of the day your jar is empty of buttons - you get to pick an activity for the family the following day. If you have buttons - you miss a turn in picking the fun activities. You see, this way - they aren't being punished all of March Break - but they aren't fighting all the time either. See? Fraggin' genious right? And I have managed to incorporate Mason jars in yet another crazy way. You know, I really should get an honourary title at the Corporation. - Chief Non-Pickling Officer. Maybe I will call them tomorrow.

6 comments:

Tracey said...

What a fabulous idea!! This way you don't have to spend March Break being the referee!! ;)

KathyP said...

As if my grandchildren would ever be brats ! heeeheee

jenn said...

O.M.G I'm so using this THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunny said...

This is a fantastic idea! My little guys bicker non stop and the threats just aren't working these days :) I think it's time to institute the mason jars!!

KimmyKimKim said...

Good luck y'all!
It does seem to work around here - I hope it works at your places!

Anonymous said...

OH MY! I am SO putting that one in the thought bank! I wish it would work for a 3 yr old and an 11 month old!! :D I think I might have to stick with time outs for now!!! :D Thanks for the great idea!