Rules & Consequences

Ok, after reading this post you can just refer to Andy and I as Super Nanny. Just kidding! We definitely don't have this parenting thing all figured out...this is just another attempt that I'm kind of proud of! Andy and I sat down one evening a couple weeks ago and determined our rules. We didn't want more than 4 or 5. We came up with 5 rules which you can see in the picture. Then we discussed and figured out our consequences for breaking the rules. As they need a consequence we X out the one they've been given so they know what they will lose next. It goes in this order: Time out (5 min Wilson, 3 min. Luke), lose treats, lose TV or Toys, early bedtime, and finally a spanking. So far Wilson has gotten up to losing treats and Luke has gotten up to time out. The picture icons really help them to see and understand the consequences.

I ordered this cool hanging responsibility chart made by Melissa and Doug from Amazon. The top half has the boys responsibilities. Wilson's are: pick up your toys, get dressed, brush teeth, and get ready for bed. Luke has to clean up his toys and say please and thank you. Which we have explained to him includes answering mommy and daddy when they talk to you. He likes to ignore what we say to him so we're working on that. We haven't decided what they will earn for having smiley faces on their responsibilities...The first day Wilson earned 2 smiley faces, the next day he earned all 4! So needless to say it seems to be helping. We've tried so many different tactics. I hope this one sticks! It should since it is pretty cut and dry- the expectations are known, the rules are specific as are the consequences. So, I say we're off to a good start!