A little less than a month ago, we started a new
discipline structure. I wanted to wait to blog about it until I had a full cycle completed. There are those standard things that Joe and I struggle with when parenting Elle and
Emme. We decided to write down 5 rules that our family feels strongly about and if you broke the rule the first time, then there was a consequence. We also wanted a way to praise them for the "everyday" things they should be doing without complaining.
So, we started a marble system. I will tell you all about it and it if you have any other suggestions that you think would work for our next cycle, please let me know.
Here is sweet
Emme this morning, because today is the day they reached
their "goal marble count."
Step 1. We bought jars and marbles.
Step 2, we determined the rules. The Ratliff Rules, such as Listen on the first time and no fighting are listed with pictures for them to
understand.
Step 3, we listed out the Happy Face Jar rules -- if you complete any of these items, at any time, without complaining, then they automatically get a marble in their happy face jar. Items on this list include putting on seatbelt by themselves, without being asked. Getting dressed for school, gymnastics and church. Drinking a glass of water. and so on......
Step 4: The Reward -- if they got 100 marbles, or marbles to the line on the jar, then they get what ever toy they want.
Step 5: The consequence.
Everytime they break a Ratliff Rule, the get a marble taken out of
their happy face jar and into the
frowny jar. It just delays the time/days until they get
their toy
Here is Elle's sad face showing you how many marbles they got in
their frowny jar over these past couple of weeks.... I think we were
pretty nice, probably should be
alot more in there ;)
Here is the toy they picked out a month ago. We printed a picture and put it by the rules. When I pick them up from school today, we are going to get the toy for them. They are so excited.
Final Thoughts. I really do think this system is working. Are my girls perfect? No. Do they still fight? Yes. However, it has given me and Joe a mechanism of
encouraging them and
disciplining them that means something to them. All we really have to say is, "that just cost you a marble" and we make them go get the marble out of
their jar and place it into the
frowny jar. They are crying the whole time, but, they see the
consequence of
their action -- without Joe and I having to yell or spank or mess around with time out.
Are there times we have to still spank and
implement time out, of course. However, I have seen this system work so well --
especially in the area of putting
their seat belt on (this used to be such a fight) and washing
their hair -- now they still hate washing
their hair, but if they do it
without complaining, they are able to go put a marble in the jar!
The Tinsley Family
When we got home from Homecoming, we had a Dallas Cowboy party with our Home Team and here are the kids.... and we were missing 7 kids, yes, I said, we were missing 7 kids! Can you believe how many precious kids we have in our group. It is a true blessing!
I have to record this or I will forget years down the road. When I take the girls to school, I try to pray with them in the car. I usually do the same prayer each time. 
Trace circles on brown paper bags
Use a wine cork to make dots as your leafs on trees
Fill the vase with beans!
Joe made these cute creatures out of corks
Final Place mats
Final Centerpiece
Did you know we painted our red room blue?
Another look! Next on the list -- new chandelier!
Silly
Silly
Oh my... so silly
Elle joining in on the silliness
Here are the girls in our hood.
Rylie and Emme with McGruff!
Emme had fun on Ally's princess ride on
Step 1. We bought jars and marbles.
Step 2, we determined the rules. The Ratliff Rules, such as Listen on the first time and no fighting are listed with pictures for them to understand.
Final Thoughts. I really do think this system is working. Are my girls perfect? No. Do they still fight? Yes. However, it has given me and Joe a mechanism of encouraging them and disciplining them that means something to them. All we really have to say is, "that just cost you a marble" and we make them go get the marble out of their jar and place it into the frowny jar. They are crying the whole time, but, they see the consequence of their action -- without Joe and I having to yell or spank or mess around with time out.
Here are the cupcakes I made for the party, I was pleased with the way they turned out.
Elle and Emme with the monkey masks. They had a great time with Tommy and the other cousins
