Thought I would share...

Ok so I just thought I would share what has been working so well for us:) I think, as a mom, we need LOTS of encouragement, new ideas, and the understanding of how HARD this job can be at times...I feel like I am beginning to see the FRUITS of me being at home and the "constant" fun battles we have had...there have been times I have thought nothing was working, all i do is get onto my kids and feel SO discouraged...A mom told me when kailyn was one and kelsey was 3 to just remember to be "consistent" and you WILL see fruits...know that (when you ask/seek) God gives you the tools/knowledge to guide and lead your kids...you may not see it but you WILL...anyway, lately God has shown me some some of that fruit and it is so exciting...at 5 1/2 and 3 1/2 I am seeing HELPERS w/ loving hearts (not all the time but just a blessing to see when it does happen) yes, still a lot of reminding/guiding/FRUSTURATION but just soooo THANKFUL for Gods faithfulness...
So there have been 3 "main" things that have been so helpful for us lately! One, Bedtime HONORS...so easy, made it myself, and it WORKS WONDERS for our girls...we have always had LOTS of problems w/ wanderers in the middle of the night...like getting in our bed! Anyway I am always a sucker and janson tries not to be:) But this chart has been a huge blessing...they get a sticker every night that they stay in their bed and do "bedtime bonanza"....bedtime bonanza is where they do everything they need to get ready for bed by theirselves, mainly...brush teeth, books, kleenex, dolls...then we all read and bedtime....w/ cheerful hearts:) if the next morning it was a success they get a sticker and after they get 7 in a row...they get sonic drink of their choice, donuts w/ dad, or a trip to the ticket box...something special for just them:) (yes, kailyn struggles more than kelsey:))

Next...This is our ticket box!! if you go to Michaels you can find an isle of dollar stuff...right now it is all .33 cents to 50 cents...i stock up!!! anyway they can earn tickets by doing chores (w/ happy hearts...this seems to be key..ha!), doing things we DO NOT ask them to do or by helping someone else...if they earn 5 they get to go to the ticket box....! they LOVE IT!!! they can also lose them by misbehaving...anyway yes it is bribary in a way but they are learning about earning something, saving it and how they want to use it...i find everything at micheals or targets dollar isle...watch and it will all go half off at times...that is when i buy and just save in a box...i constantly change things out, add to...to make it more exciting of what is in there??? just really simple like coloring books, markers, stickers, whatever i find...

my final staple...THE LIBRARY!!! FREE!!! we go once a week to the library to pick out books, check out movies/cds and they LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that time....anyway these are just some things we do that seem to make our life so much smoother...we still obviously have time-outs and a rare spanking but these things seem to cut out TONS of discipline issues:) and makes them think about their choices...I am always looking for new ideas so if you have any others feel free to share:)))) think encouraging each other is SOOOO important!!!