Happy holidays.
I’m in the mountains with friends and family. I am so happy that my workload for the year is winding down and the rest of 2009 will be spent enjoying the time off with my family. I just shot another episode for The Doctors and I decided to feature one of my favorite mommy tools that have made my life a LOT easier.
I have been making home-made behavior charts with my older children for years. It’s a great way to encourage positive behavior, and help your children to behave the way you expect them to. The charts are a fun interactive project that you can create with your kids. They are based on a point system, and they make good behavior fun. I don’t believe in bribing you kids to behave, or promising them rewards for good behavior, but this system works and has many great benefits.
The best part of the behavior charts is the self-evaluation exercise. I ask my kids what they feel that they need to work on themselves, what they should be doing better, and what areas they feel they could improve in. It’s a really solid way to encourage them to look inside, check in and see what they are most and least proud of about themselves. I map out a monthly chart and I encourage my kids to decorate it as they like. I sit down and write 5-10 things they want to work on, then comes the FUN part. I ask them to think of 5 things they would like to receive. I write down those wishes on the other side of the chart. Here’s an example of what this January’s chart will look like for my daughter Neriah. Notice BE HAPPY is at the top of the list, which I think should be a goal for every child.
Everyday I celebrate positive behavior with a sticker system. I apply points to each sticker and at the end of the month all stickers are totaled up and traded in for some things on the wish list.
I think that applauding your kids for all good things is super important. Taking the time to notice the good and the bad really makes a difference. Communication is key. Behavior charts are a fun and positive way to set them up for success.
And, since the kids make them, spelling mistakes are allowed!
