I have had one hell of a week with the kids. As you can read from my previous post my house has been out of control. Trying to blog throughout the week has been impossible. I am finding that a lot of the problem with my kids behavior lies with my husband and I. Its almost as though we have forgot how to be parents and are just trying to exist in this house with our kids. We try the basic time out and grounding but our follow through sucks! We live under a cloud of anger all the time. The yelling and fighting has worn us both down.
So I got online and starting searching for a plan, you could call it my only New Years Resolution. I need to find a way to gain some control and become a positive parent again. There is so much information out there. Parenting courses, programs to buy and forums that offer great resources. But I am one of those people that need simple and direct action immediately. So after much frustration with all the piles of information I decided to start searching for some at home activities to do with the kids instead. I stumbles upon this great website www.creativekidsathome.com that gave all kinds of activities for the kids to do, but to my delight I also found a link to program to help with the children’s behavior. It’s called the Better Behavior Wheel and here is a summary of what it is about.

“The Better Behavior Wheel is an upbeat fun tool for behavior management. Families who use the Wheel report dramatic changes in their households. Homework gets done, clothes get picked up and arguing stops. By the mere physical presence of the Wheel being displayed, behavior can be modified and discipline maintained. Funny how just having it on the wall has helped with the bickering already,” states Mrs. Rachele Gleason.”

“You can effectively modify your children’s behavior by using the Wheel from http://www.BetterBehaviorWheel.com. And whats exciting is no more straining your mind to think of appropriate punishments or having things go on till you blow up. The children, in a family meeting, agree upon the consequences of not doing as they should in 7 different areas that come with the Wheel such as Excessive Arguing”, Talking Back”, and Not Putting Things Away”. Blanks are included so you can add your own areas and consequences.”

“Guess what? You, the parent, are no longer the bad guy and can even root for your child to get one of the lesser punishments. Maybe there can even be a free spin” if you decide to include one on the wheel. Your children answer to the wheel loaded with punishments they agreed to.”

“Lest you think this is all about punishment, the wheel also comes with the Wheel of Just Desserts for positive reinforcements. Perhaps a week of no trips to the Better Behavior Wheel can call for a spin on the Wheel of Just Desserts. Imagine the effect of the possibility of winning Your Favorite Meal” or A Trip to the Movies” or One Game Rental”. Whatever your family decides upon as an appropriate goodie.”

“Try the Better Behavior Wheel configured to meet the unique needs of your family. Hang the Wheel on your kitchen wall and watch the atmosphere in your home change overnight. Personalization of the wheel is available. You might want one for each child so the consequences are fully individualized.”

For more information, please go to http://www.BetterBehaviorWheel.com

So I went the the author site and read more about the program and of course the cost. To my surprise it only cost $14.95 for the instant download version.  Julie Butler also created the program to be purchase as a kit with a wheel and interchangeable cards that can hang right on the wall. I found the average cost for this kit to be about $29.95 depending on the site selling it. I plan to stick with the download version as my laptop is always accessible from any room. If anyone has used the program leave me comment and tell me what you think. I’m also open to any other ideas or tips for positive parenting.
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Being a mom of 4, I know first-hand how hard it is to 1 – get the house clean, 2- keep it clean, and 3- having some help with steps 1 and 2! I focus on the kitchen, living-room and bathroom daily (this is what the guest would see) with bedrooms and laundry getting done on the weekends. There are 3 of us capable of cleaning (o.k. 1 capable and 2 semi-capable) so we alternate the three rooms each day. Sunday is my wash day, I spend the whole day cleaning, folding and putting away and I split the bed-rooms with the other 2 (my oldest daughter just loves it HA!)
We use a chore chart to keep this all organized. Mom’s you have teach by example, meaning even if you have only had 2 hours sleep get your chore for the day done. That is the only way you can hold it over your husband and older children’s heads to help. Trust me I have been working on this for years. Also if you have to fill in and do someone’s chores because they are gone, make them take one of your days (teach ‘em early no free rides!)
Create charts for the little ones too. Mine include bed making, teeth-brushing and book reading on theirs. It not only makes them feel like big kids it also starts teaching responsibility young.
Check out DLTK’s Custom Chore Charts they have cool customizable charts that are free to create, save and print.
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Applesauce is like the trick of all trade master of none! You can substitute the oil in your favorite recipe with applesauce. For egg allergys (or if you just ran out like me most the time) applesauce can replace the eggs. Applesauce also gives a sweeter flavor when used so for famous oatmeal cake with broiled frosting, now you have sugar and spice with everything nice in it.  I buy applesauce by the case. My kids eat it as a snack after school. Its also my fail proof back up plan when I need my kids to get some nutrition at the dinner table because they refuse to eat their peas.
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