The Lowe Family Store

I'm sure all you Mothers & Fathers with children can relate to this post. Eric & I have absolutely had it with the kids making messes without cleaning up after themselves- which equates to an upset Mom & Dad, kids that look at you as if they are completely innocent, and a mess still existent. We have also had it with children arguing, hurting each other, and spending too much time in front of the "tube" and not enough time doing anything worthwhile. So we came up with a "game-plan". This plan was somewhat derived from my childhood disciplinary action and consequences, but I'm hoping this way will be a bit more positive. Last night for FHE we introduced this program to the kids, it goes like this:

Children have 2 lists:

1. "Family Store Money Earned"
2. "Family Store Money Lost"

Every day the children can refer to these lists and plan there activities accordingly. With almost everything they choose to do they will be rewarded with pretend money.

• Make Bed-1 coin
• Clean Bedroom Before Bedtime-2 coins
• Assigned Chore Done Daily-$1.00
• Homework Completed-2 coins
• Read 1 chapter in book-2 coins
• Practice flashcards for 15 min.-1 coin
• Read 1 story in Friend or New Era- $1.00
• Read 1 Chapter From Scriptures- $1.00
• Saying Personal Prayers-1 coin
• Brushing Teeth- 1 coin

We then have a list of different behaviors that we tend to have the most problems with in our family. If the children choose to participate in any of these behaviors we simply go to their personal money jar
and remove the amount of money lost. If they do not have adequate money to pay the loss an IOU note is placed in the jar until the debt is paid. You can see 1 child (I won't mention any names) already has tested the waters and the note remains in the jar.

• Eating anywhere but kitchen table-2 coins
• Leaving a mess-2 coins
• Teasing- 2 coins
• Hitting-$1.00
• Name Calling-$1.00
• Pinching-$1.00
• Talking Back-$1.00
• Arguing-$1.00
• Glaring/ Rolling Eyes-$1.00

The kids were completely tuned in while we were explaining this new store plan. We explained that there is NO T.V. allowed, NO computer playing allowed, and NO wii allowed. These are now earned privileges. I wish I had the video tape running so we could see the kids expressions for years to come. They were priceless, you could just see their little minds running a mile a minute. Wondering what on earth they were going to do all day without those things that have become their lives, so to speak. So we explained how the money would be earned and lost according to their actions and wishes. Then we opened this large "Tote"
and showed the kids the contents. Everything from gum to a date with Mom & Dad were in this tote. Everything has a price tag on it as well. We will open the store every Monday evening after our FHE lesson is complete. The kids were ecstatic. They can pay 50 bucks to watch an hour of T.V and so forth. It was amazing to watch the outcome of our 1st day on this plan. Of course the kids were all excited and wanting to do their best as this was fresh in their minds but they did rather well. No one asked to play any computer, wii, or watch the T.V. Instead they read, did flashcards, did their jobs without being asked, and I only saw 1 kid carrying around a yogurt and eating it. WOW! I didn't have to raise my voice 1 time, my house looks amazing, the kids were basically nice to one another, and my kiddos aren't frying their brains. Yeah for dollar stores! I am so excited about this new plan. We are using gold coins and fake dollar bills. I can't wait for Monday so we can let the fruits of their labors come to fruition!