Be Careful What You Promise....

We all do it.  We bribe our kids to get a desired behavior.  My 6 year old, Drew, has struggled all school year.  His attention span is short non-existent.  He breaks out into song for unknown reasons.  He practices playing the drums with everything.   He has no concept of personal space.  All of these things are fine at home (except sometimes that personal space thing).  At school, however, he gets into a bit of trouble.

His class uses a stoplight system.  They all start the day with their clothespin off the chart.  The first time they get into trouble, the clothespin goes to green (1), then yellow (2) and finally red (3).  Drew was constantly getting his clothespin moved.  Mostly ones and twos but he did have the occasional three.  In order to get him to have proper classroom behavior, we've been bribing him.

At first, he had to behave for a week (not even moved to a one) and he could take Karate lessons.

Apparently, he can be bribed.

The next step was to go a month without getting his clothespin moved.  The reward this time? 

Yes, that's right.  A drum set for my budding drummer.  

If he behaves all day tomorrow, he will have earned his drum set.  I truly didn't think he could do it, but he really does have some self control.

If anyone feels so led, you are welcome to send me some earplugs.