Lately Miranda's behavior has been out of control. Tantrums, screaming, talking back, and attitude galore. It was not making this tired mommy happy. So I decided to try out a sticker chart as a checks and balance system. We tried it out for about two weeks and while her behavior improved almost 100%, I found that I either wasn't around to put stickers on, or I would just plain forget. It wasn't working.
Today I'm trying out something new. Instead of a sticker chart, we have a white board hanging up on our coat closet door. At the top I wrote out the date, under that is two columns of three boxes each. The first column is where I would give her a red X should she deserve it. She loses a privilege for every X she receives. The second column is for media time. She gets an hour and a half of media time daily. For every half-hour used up, she gets a check mark. As long as she hasn't used all her media time yet, a red X would mean a loss of a half hour.
At the bottom are two lists. Her daily chores and her house rules.
This chart worked beautifully today and I hope it will work well in the future as well.
Here is a picture of it all set up for tomorrow:
Oh I like this idea, now all I have to do is find somewhere I can hang a white board. Desmond has been a trying little thing recently, and hates being limited on his tv/video game time.
ReplyDeleteAnd seriously what is up with 4 year olds and fits? He never had this many tantrums at 2 or 3. And I laugh when people mention terrible 2s because neither he or Eloise was/is anywhere near as bad as 4. In fact 2 is a walk in the park compared to 4.
I agree wholeheartedly Sarah!! People laugh at me too because I say the same thing. I'll take a two year old over a four year old ANY day!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear this. Ruby's just stopped listening lately. For example, I'll say 'don't shut that door'. she goes on to shut the door. Last night we left the ice cream store in full tantrum b/c I couldn't get her to stop throwing sand. (they have a sand box for the kids). TV has become the biggest issue here. She crabs/cries about it all the time. If DH would support me, we'd go on a tv strike until she chilled out. I'm going to try a similar chart. It worked when Ian was younger. In fact, he could use one again too to remember his chores.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we were really struggling too. I needed to come up with something. I'll update if this chart stops working. Good luck everyone. Four is tough age.
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