Inspired by my cousin Ashlee, we created an incentive program with our kids. They earn popsicles sticks when they do something good. They keep them in a cup and can trade them in for different things. We've tried stickers in the past, but this works much better for us. I thought I'd share in case you want to try it. Here is a list of our incentives (this list has already been revised a few times):
5 - a juice box or a popsicle
10 - watch a movie or play on the computer
15 - ride bikes (or scooters) outside
20 - bake cookies or muffins with mom
25 - go to a playground of your chocie
30 - go out for ice cream
35 - rent a movie at Blockbuster (or "BlockBlue" as Erica calls it) and watch it with popcorn
40 - eat out 
It has helped me to curb their interest in movies and computer games, and my interest in eating out! I thought they would have trouble saving up, but instead, I need to encourage them to remember to spend them!
*A few of you asked what they earn popsicle sticks for: just about anything! If they clean their room, help make lunch, play nicely together, behave while we go to the store, eat dinner faster than a snail, keep the baby happy, help fold laundry, etc. And then there are age appropriate ones: Robby staying dry all day or night, Erica reading a book all by herself -- We give the popsicle sticks liberally so they can spend them on a regular basis. Also, we never take the sticks away as a punishment. Once they've earned them, they've earned them.
Monday, June 25, 2007
The Power of the Popsicle Stick
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Julie, what a great idea! So what do your kids have to do to earn the popscicle sticks? I love the idea and would like more details if you want to share :o)
ReplyDeleteYes, I want to know more, too. I wonder if this will work with Trey, even though he's younger? Cute chart, by the way!
ReplyDeletewhat a cute idea. love the chart too.
ReplyDeletefreddy asked if erica was going to eceap this year, it made me sad that he misses all of his friends!
This is a great idea, I am excited for the day when my boys are old enough so that we can do this :)
ReplyDeletemaybe you should make a couple of hundred popsicle sticks a visit from Aunt Lynn...although that may not be a good way to make them spend them :)
ReplyDeletesee you guys this week!
I'm setting up something similar for my girls. Thanks for the idea! We really need this right now.
ReplyDelete