Comments on Elsie and Joe Deluxe: any ideas?

I don't mind. The easy goals are: Feed the cats, C...

2008-07-16T20:11:00.000-04:00

I don't mind. The easy goals are: Feed the cats, Clear your place at the table. The goal that is easy most of the time (and particularly when reminded that it's on the chart) is: Pick up your toys and books. The difficult/real goals are: Use a polite inside voice, and Refrain from hitting, kicking and throwing stuff around.

For the record, Little is five and a half.

I'm curious what the goals are (and how specific t...

2008-07-16T19:20:00.000-04:00

I'm curious what the goals are (and how specific they are, and things like that). Do you mind sharing?

what does he most ask for? my dear bunny always a...

2008-07-16T12:21:00.000-04:00

what does he most ask for? my dear bunny always asks to go fishing or skateboarding with her Pa, so something like that... we seem to all be on the same idea trail here, its just a matter of what Little likes best.

but i also see your point about wanting him to do things because they are the right thing to do rather than getting a reward. tough one, but maybe don't look at it as an

The swimming pool at the park? A ride on the Caro...

2008-07-16T07:46:00.000-04:00

The swimming pool at the park? A ride on the Carousel? Too bad the Discovery Center isn't free.

I like the game night idea of Shaun's.

I've tried charts without much success. But it's i...

2008-07-15T23:35:00.000-04:00

I've tried charts without much success. But it's interesting that your son begged for one. Maybe it'll work for him since it's self-motivated.

I would agree with everyone about an activity as a reward. Or something very distinctive or unusual that he likes.

I agree -- experiences and one-on-one time are you...

2008-07-15T21:34:00.000-04:00

I agree -- experiences and one-on-one time are your best bets.

As for ideas, one of the coolest things my guys did lately was to build robot costumes out of things from the recycling bin. Fun, free, and when they were done, it all went back in the bin.

Maybe mix up some cool experience things, large an...

2008-07-15T20:32:00.000-04:00

Maybe mix up some cool experience things, large and small. Staying up one night to watch meteor showers, choosing what the family will eat for dinner (it's food but kind of in a different way), picking the next book to read for read-aloud, making a pop bottle rocket out of scrap PVC around the house. Maybe not totally free but the focus is on an experience more than anything else. Good luck, let

Maybe you do this a lot with your kids already, bu...

2008-07-15T18:25:00.000-04:00

Maybe you do this a lot with your kids already, but my kids consider a move night or a game night a big deal. And somehow if it is just with dad it's even better, but that's just us. Focused parent time with a kid-chosen activity is still popular here, for now.

Is there a cool outing, like a pet store or pool?

Or maybe instead of giving food directly, offer to make food together