And they're happy and Momma is happy...

We learned a lot at our training this weekend. We had to take Common Sense parenting. One of the concepts they teach is to catch the kids in the act of doing something good and after a praise session, they can also draw out of a reward jar. They gave ideas on stuff that doesn't cost money and some do cost money...ovbiously you could do whatever you wanted. Most of mine don't cost money, but it gives them extra one-on-one time with us or extra time to do something fun. However, I did throw a few ideas from the money list in there as well...new toy from Wal-mart, a toy from the $1 store, out for ice cream, slushies, new book, happy meal from McDonalds or a treat from Sonic. Well, we went out to the grocery store today and I decided we would deam some of the money treats while we were out. I felt badly that Little E kept losing out on her treats and she only had one on the list whereas the other kids have 3-5 on theirs. But, hopefully it will get her to learn that she doesn't want to have to jar out of Mom's special chore jar everytime she does something wrong or to spend time in her "calm down zone." Anyway, as it turned out today that all the kids had something to redeem and they were on their best behavior. Deidra and Josiah each had drawn the new toy from Wal-mart. Deidra got a Planet Earth mommy and baby fox. Josiah got a new Thomas the Train video that came with his own Thomas train. Baby T got a trip to the $1 store so Mommy got her a baby doll and a bottle. She loves her babies! Little E earned a happy meal from McDonalds. They are all happy and Momma is happy that they are behaving so well.