The practicals

So, after that reaction and after the sweet day I had with both my girls yesterday, I continued digging deep to find practical tools to teach this young lady how to own a heart of obedience. Here are a few ideas we plan to implement.
1. Charts and Calendars: (This was actually a request from Big Sis)

• Purchase little chart pads at a teachers' supply store along w/ tiny stickers.
  
• Everytime one of the children is kind, obeys w/o arguing, reads a book and so on, instruct them to add a sticker on their personal chart
• when it is filled (typically around 20, maybe less for younger children) they can go to the "treasure chest"
• The "treasure chest" is a little shelf filled w/ videos, dime-store toys or other items you may want them to have but don't want to hand out for no reason.
• You could also set forth a specific prize to be obtained once the chart is completed.

2. Fruits of the Spirit:

• Read Galatians 5:22-23
• Have the kids create some "fruit bucks" Cut 9 pcs. of paper w/ different fruit of the spirit written on each.
• When all 9 bucks have been earned, give them a fruity-tasting treat. Anything from fruity cereal, fruit salad, piece of cherry pie or strawberry ice cream.

3. Running Errands: When your kids dislike running errands and generally complain throughout the grocery store, dry cleaners or dept. store.

• Give $1 in nickels b/f you head out.
  
• Inform them that the last errand will be somewhere they can get a treat, ie drugstore, Target, etc.
• Anytime they complain they lose a nickel
• Whatever they have left in their bag they can spend.

I did this yesterday for the grocery store and it was AWESOME!!! Big Sis kept all her nickels and got quite a stash. She even got the lesson of going through the check out line and paying and getting her own receipt which was as exciting as her candy! She even said things like "Mommy, I'm thankful what I got, but I REALLY liked this one. But, I'm thankful what I got!" Along with "I don't like to complain much." Ha!

3. Play Money: If your kids are too young for the real stuff, try using play money from and old board game or a toy store.

• Let them earn some money and take them shopping at "Mommy's Store" which is a supply of items you keep hidden somewhere for occasions like this.

• Maybe stock yourself w/ fancy socks, hair bows, new football, silly string, etc.

4. Pickle a Privilege: Us an old pickle jar, clean it out and call it "Pickle a Privilege".

• Fill w/ slips of paper w/ a variety of fun, extra-special privileges on them.
• This is for those times when the kids catch us off guard and make some "just b/c I want to please God" choices.
• Have them close their eyes, to make more fun.
• ex. privileges might be a soda w/ dinner, sleeping w/ Mom and Dad, going to a Sat. matinee, choosing the net pizza topping, having a pillow fight, going to work w/ Dad, eating dessert first, or receiving a "grace card" (correction card).

5. Easter:

• Buy an extra bag of colorful plastic eggs.
• fill each egg w/ a piece of candy, quarter, or coupon for extra TV time or a special privilege.
• Every time the kids make a choice that "defeats Satan" as Jesus did when He rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, they get to choose and egg.

These are just a few that stuck out to me. They are so helpful b/c Big Sis is highly responsive to affirmation and praise, so doing things this way, where she can see what her response gets her works really well! I hope you can pull from some of these!

Happy Correcting!!!