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Familyhood Newsletter
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July 9, 2003
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Familyhood Education Foundation and Kudos For Kids
I just got back from Arizona where I had the pleasure of babysitting my grandchildren. On one occasion we were at a friend's house enjoying the warm summer afternoon in a lagoon type of pool with waterfalls and fountains, ( it was rough, but I handled it well) The pool was filled with gleeful and boisterous children, jumping in the water, running around the pool, needing to go "potty" or crying over who was going to play with broken plastic toys floating around the pool.
After a couple of hours of all this fun, it was time to get out, dry off and go back to my daughter's home. I noticed right away that the children ( who belonged to the home we were visiting, my grandchildren would never make a mess, just needed to clarify that point) were throwing their wet towels on the floor, sitting on the furniture in their very wet suits and fighting over the TV. (OK, for the sake of honesty, my granddaughter did sit with a wet suit on the sofa, BUT not for long)
No one gave a thought that this very nice house became a sudden dumping ground and everyone expected MOM to pick up the mess (she always does, she has trained her children to perform this behavior) and, by the way, they were hungry and wanted to eat. In fact the older boys began making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, of course, leaving the kitchen counter a total disaster. By this time, MOM was yelling and feeling overwhelmed. She just sat down and said…"I guess this is the messy stage" being very diplomatic, I said…"want to see this all cleaned up cheerfully in 30 seconds?" She laughed and said…."SURE"….( I think, she thought I was nuts)
I said…"hey kids, I am going to count to "30" and if all this mess is cleaned up and done cheerfully, I have a great prize for the winner, but, I think no one can do all this in 30 seconds." Friends, you could not believe how fast 7 kids got going, up and down the stairs, grabbing every toy, wet towel and the leavings of uneaten food laughing while looking forward to this great reward. The reward was given out and there were 7 happy and content children. We all felt great after this "experience" and I went back home knowing once again, The Token Economy is the correct principle. (The Kudos For Kids Game is the TOOL and the KEY to this great program)
This sweet Mother was thrilled at seeing her lazy (parent deaf) boys go into such heroic action. In the end, all wet towels were put in the washer, the toys in the right place and the kitchen cleaned and with 7 kids, it was about 30 seconds ( I counted very slow)……..Believe it or not…
This program works, kids love rewards and being told (reinforced) how great they are. Our children are so capable and we as parents need to let that capability shine forth.
Please feel free to call me here at the office with any questions about the program you may have. We are here to serve you and your family. Remember, healthy families are the backbone of any nation and we all can do better each day.
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