Tables and Charts

I've been trying to find a good way to discipline the boys. They're at an age where it's hard to get them to understand just what I want them to do, or to understand just what they are getting in trouble for. I've asked around to get ideas and the major thing I hear is, "No matter what you do just be consistent."

Easy enough right? I did it all the time when I was working at the school. Only problem is at school we all came up with plans on how to discipline the kids. I hadn't done that with the boys. I tried to do certain things for certain behaviors, but I didn't feel like I was being consistent enough. Then when my husband's home he may have a whole different route to take when it comes to discipline. How could I expect him to do the same thing I do if I don't even do the same thing every time?

Well to solve this problem I came up with an idea. I made a table on the computer that outlines what to do for each behavior. I also divided it into different groups: Low, Moderate and Severe. Hopefully that will make sure the punishment isn't too harsh for the action. Here's to hoping it works.

I also made another chart for the boys. I got the idea from my sis-in-law. She used an envelope instead, but it's still the same idea. After I laminate these I'll hang them up and then when each boy does something good they will get a star in a square. When all the squares are full they get to pull off the yellow piece of paper to reveal the activity they get to do. I'll just pick simple things like "go to the store with mom and get a treat" or "Play with a box of tissues".


I know that the boys are still a little young to get something like this, but this is still very important to me. I've always been told to praise children as much as you can. And noticing good behaviors is always better than just pointing out the bad.

Just a few ideas we have been coming up with at this house. Hopefully it will help keep the screaming and whining down. I'm getting really tired of saying, "Use your words". They know enough words to generally tell me what they want, but they still haven't learned how to use them all them time. But when they do use them it's awesome!



P.S. The baby has finally gotten to the point where he stays on his schedule all by himself. You would not believe how much that schedule has improved things with him. He's so happy and smiley now. We're getting to were the good times are more numerous than the bad. In fact we just went on a trip and he did wonderfully. All the kids did! Best travel time ever!