Taboo

Katharine has been waking up dry, and so I tried to potty train her this morning. I made the mistake of telling her "If you go potty we will get ice cream" and then she just moaned and cried for ice cream all day but never went pee. Actually, she cheered for herself at one moment and said she did it, but she had her diaper on, so I said that didn't count, she has to keep the diaper dry and pee in the potty, and that's when she cried again. She was sad about it on and off all day. I did go buy ice cream for FHE so we could move on and start fresh tomorrow without a bribe or reward. I think that will work better if I do not metnion candy or ice cream, cause she doesn't seem to get the game I'm trying to get her to play. It could also be because she's never been told "no" in her life. She sat today from 7:30 until after the boys went to school... I was sure there would be something, but no luck. Maybe she's not drinking enough. So yeah, it was a several hour battle. I gave her my phone to watch the potty song and then just left it with her and until she calls cause she's lost the video cause of all the stupid ads on those channels, stupid. 

So for FHE today, we started a new chore system, but first we played a game, Taboo, and had Kroger ice cream, Chocolate Cookie Crumble, which is a family favorite thanks to High school senior Joseph who introduced us all to it. Taboo was fun. Teams were: 

Corey, Lily, Sophi, Peter, & Katharine
- VS -
Me, Abi, Natalie, Owen, & Daniel

Peter did one that was really good. He was describing when you do something that isn't real, we shouted "pretend! Imagine!" and eventually someone said "dream" and we were all really impressed with that! He didn't say pillow or bed or sleep, yeah I was impressed with that one. 

If there was a movie quote that went along with it, that was usually helpful. I got statue of Liberty and was able to say "This was one of the symbols in Peter's program!" and Natalie got it. Katharine didn't know what was going on, but she would shout out "Heart!" every time people were calling out words. She's such a princess, I love it. 

So... the new "chore" whatever we're going to start is that: we are going to pay the kids to do their chores. We don't have a maid that comes to clean our house, but we have kids! And they can do it. I let them know that we will pay them so they can save up and buy stuff they want (which "stuff" we often end up buy them anyway, so I think we will not be losing any money on this.) 

Right now, they will get paid the following for doing the following: 

Lessons & Concerts………………………$0

Read………………………………………..$0 (Book price negotiable)

Check Gradebook…………………………$0

Gospel Study………………………………$0 (Blessings of heaven)

(But they have to do those things to earn money in these other areas)

Music practice……………………………..50 cents for 30 minutes, $1 for 45 min, $2 for an hour

Bedroom clean & clothes put away……..50 cents a day

Household Chore…………………………25 cents for 15 min

As you can see, music is where the big money is. So we are hoping this system will encourage that. And I thought of doing this because of a comment Ethan made recently about how Dad would always fine him (I think it was in an old video where Corey called out to Ethan after teasing or something "That's a fine!" and Eth was like "I remember those days..." so, we're just trying to make memories here, haha)

I am excited about fines, because guess what happens if a kid blows off practicing? -$1 fine. We might up that price. Maybe $1 will work, or we'll adjust it as needed. I'm excited about the show one too! I might be rich soon, or who knows, maybe I won't be picking up shoes ever again! So fines are as follows: 

FINES

Don't practice?……………………………… - $1.00

Mom puts away your shoes……………… - .25 pair, -.75 cents for 2 pair, - $2 for 3 pair

Don't clean up after yourself in kitchen…. - .25 cents

Don't clean up after yourself……………… - .25 cents to - $1

Eat out of the kitchen……………………… -.50 cents

Use computer or ipad w/o permission…… - $1.00

Fighting/Teasing……………………………. - .25 cents - $5

Yeah, we'll make adjustments as needed. This week we are starting with them being able to earn as much as they want, and the only fee we will be implementing will be the -$1 for not practicing. I plan to keep track though, of the shoes I put away or if I clean up messes after them (Sophi and Natalie with the sewing machine in the laundry room...) and I will let them know how much their fees would have been. Next week, fees will be in full force. Should be fun.