Homestead Longings
Compromises and Breakthroughs....
Praise the Lord for the rain!!! 
I am usually not the biggest rain lover, but I am beginning to see the blessings of it. Yesterday as the rain moved through TX, I soaked up the event like I was the ground myself. We have a "quiet time" every afternoon in my house. I usually take a seat and read or work on some project while the kids are napping. Yesterday I decided to lay on my bed and just watch the rain through my bedroom window until it lulled me into a snooze of my own.
It was actually during this time that an idea came to me. My ds and I have been arguing about his chores the past few days. Specifically, cleaning up his mess in his room. Okay, maybe arguing isn't an appropriate term. Basically I said stay in there until it is done. No TV, no playing or going anywhere. All privileges cancelled. No TV is like a torture for this kid, but yet, it just has not been enough to truly motivate him. I was laying on my bed thinking about how much my son is so like me sometimes. As a child I was impossible to motivate because rewards and punishments didn't phase me much. That is when I realized what the problem really was. If there were ever any rewards for me as a child, which there rarely was, they just were not worth it to me. They just weren't things that <> wanted.
I kind of cringed at the thought of what might truly motivate my ds, but I accepted it. So, I brought out the chore chart that I have for him and hung it up. I sat down and discussed with him that every chore he completed without mommy having to fight with him about would earn him one little plastic token. If he is disobedient or misbehaves in a way that fits the criteria, I have the right to reclaim tokens. When he earns so many tokens, he can choose prizes or special events from a list. And if he manages to actually accumulate enough tokens, we will take that all coveted trip to McDonald's for lunch. I wish you could have seen his face when I mentioned McDonald's. It was priceless. McDonald's is my compromise. I hate McDonald's. We go once every few months or so.
This morning has been a glorious morning so far. We had a bit of a breakthrough. DS had his bed made before he ever walked out of his room. Chores were done before he did anything else. I really hope that this lasts a while. 
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11:36, Wednesday, August 20, 2008 .. Posted by gabbie427I grew up having to cloean my room, and it would take me days!! Seriously, days, because I didn't have the motivation, and I didn't have the organizational skills and teachings to do it correctly. Does that make sense??? LOL
I think the chore chart is a wonderful idea. Incentives don't have to be big. They could be,a treat like an icecream cone, or a picnic with the family, a play date with one of his buddies, etc.
What I also learned from my own experience is that cleaning, decluttering and organizational skills aren't always born in. LOL I had to learn. So, making a list, cutting the chores down to size might help. For instance, instead of CLEAN YOUR ROOM. You might start with, pick up all dirty clothing and take to the laundry. Pick up toys and put them all away. Strip your bed, put on clean sheets, and then make it. Etc. When I finally did this for myself....making a list of each item in the room that needed to be done, I found it easier to see what needed to be done, and had the satisfaction of marking off each thing on the list and showing it to my mom. Maybe this would help your son as well. If he is young and doesn't read, you can find clip art for each job instead.
Good luck!
God's Blessings,
Amy Jo
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