Imagine, if you will, that it is not winter. And with warmer weather come flies, pesky flies buzzing around my house. These same imaginary flies have been hearing the most unusual things lately. They're all abuzz.
Around dinner time, pounding footsteps can be heard as the kids race to the kitchen table, shouting, "I'll set the table!" "No, me! It's my turn!"
and then, most stunning of all, the sounds of compromise: "Fine, we'll set the table together."
These bizarre occurrences are not limited to the evening however. In the morning, I've been greeted with, "Good morning Mommy! I made my bed and got dressed all by myself. Now I'm going to go put the cereals on the table for breakfast, okay?"
Coats are hung up. Shoes are in the closet. Mail is picked up and brought in the house. Little sisters are entertained and sibling feuds are at a minimum.
This wonderful alternate reality would actually probably be a little worrisome if I didn't know how it had come about. After all, these are the same children who, a month ago, left a half-eaten chocolate pudding behind a cushion on the couch, dropped cookie wrappers on the floor and refused to pick them up, and pretended they were completely unable to put on pajamas by themselves.
Enough bragging you say, how in the world did you make this miracle happen?
Three words: Bonus Point System.
Just about the only legacy from my corporate days is my love of reward systems. I love creating measurable incentives like those that worked so well for me when I was striving to maximize my bonuses. And I have to say that it works for the kids as well as it worked for me back in the day. I launch a new one every few months or so or whenever I perceive a problem. And they work well, for a while. Once boredom sets in, it's time for a new launch of a reward system with much fanfare, very much like the dreaded reorganizations of my corporate life.
Our new bonus point system replaces our previous acts of kindness program. This time things are pretty simple. You get points for being helpful. And at the end of the month, the points are totalled both individually and as a group. Each child earns one individual prize, and then all agree on one group prize, that way it's not a straight competition and fosters cooperation.
Prizes vary every month and are a mystery until the last night (to keep up with point inflation!). This month, Jack and Bella chose sleepovers as their individual prize while Juliette asked for a bottle for her baby doll. As a group, they opted for a family ice cream sundae party and a separate family movie night. And every night they're coming up with great suggestions for next month.
I'm sure the bonus points will lose their novelty at some point and that I'll have to come up with a new incentive system. But until then, I'm enjoying the table and bed service as long as it lasts!
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