Betsy left a comment on my last post (a comment! i finally got a comment!) asking, “Is it possible to get after naughty kids and still be joyful?”
I think it is, especially when it’s the feast of St. Patrick and my children are made to clean—Gasp! Clean!—before they are allowed to move on to the fun stuff.
The “fun stuff” around here includes chocolate Rolo cookies and shamrock shakes. Homemade shamrock shakes, mind you, because the ones at McDonald’s are too expensive and besides that, mine are better. Are you kidding? I add a touch of crème de menthe. How could they possibly not be better?
But somehow the prospect of treats this evening was not enough to keep the kids from complaining, especially when Daddy dumped out the laundry baskets and told them to start folding. I couldn’t take away the entire treat, could I? Because after that, what punitive measures remain?
And it is, after all, the feast of St. Patrick.
It was then that inspiration struck. I turned to the incessantly grumbling child (the loudest one, anyway) and said, “That’s it. You were warned. I am writing your name on the dry erase board and for every grumble that comes out of your mouth, I will take a big germy slurp of your shamrock shake.”
What? No way. Could I be serious?
I gave her name a tally mark and, holding an imaginary spoon to my lips and slurping loudly, said, “That makes one.” She looked mortified…but she stopped.
(So far the tally rests at one, with the promise of removing it for good behavior.)
(Plus the laundry is folded and the bathrooms are clean!)
(This from the children who aren’t even Irish.)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!
I read your blog! I just never leave comments haha. But I love the positive attitude drink behavior plan! I wish I could do that in my classroom haha.
Okay, that one made me laugh! I'm threatning cabbage and potatoes. They'll eat the corned beef but the rest…well I have carnivores.
Wow, have I missed you! I just got myself caught up. My baby born on Valentine's Day was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis like her big brother and I've been a little NUTS, getting into the nursing with meds groove again. I've been blogging honestly, though, because I've had a good mentor ~ you. Keep on, friend!
Love, A
Oh I just laughed out loud and woke the nursing baby. 🙂 I have got to be more creative like that with the kid's consequences. Thanks.
What an inspiration. Those incremental disciplinary measures seem to be more effective – must remember.
My husband also dumps out the clean laundry for the kids to fold. Great minds think alike.
I love it!!
Chocolate Rolo Cookies are the naughtiest cookies ever – a favourite in our house. I have adapted my Cherry Shortbread recipe to include Rolos – here is the link…
http://simplyjoolz.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/saturday-at-home.html
and the recipe for the shortbreads…
http://simplyjoolz.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/cherry-shortbreads-monte-creams.html
I must make a batch of the chocolate ones again soon!
Cheers – Joolz
Hey! I've been leaving comments! I always threaten the kids with germy slurps – it works!
HA! Luv it….maybe start a st patricks day tradition and get the kids to dress up in green again for a photo shoot eh!
Oh dear Margaret,
I'm laughing so hard I almost spat out my wine!
The other day my husband called the cell while I was shopping and asked me to bring home a chocolate donut. It was for one of the chidren who had found the most pairs of socks while sorting the sock basket. There's just something about husbands that are so creative. Then there's me who yells, "Just be quiet and pair up those socks, or else!" Oh well, Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Still laughing after this post.
Creativity–great job, Margaret! Cheri
That's hilarious! I wish my mind worked like that. 🙂
Oooohh, I like your idea, but, for some reason, I don't think it would work on my boys. We've never tried the McD's "Shamrock Shakes" (I alwasys make our own chocolate shakes,) but I thought we'd try one out on St. Pat's Eve. I bought "one" for five boys to share (missing one boy who was traveling.) They all dove in with straws and spoons, but alas, they gave the shake a big thumbs down!
I guess we have to stick with chocolate and occasional (ie. when they are on sale!) oreo cookie shakes.
God Bless,
Stacy in MI
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
I am a faithful reader but rarely post a comment. It's so rare to find a blogger that posts about places I have actually been. I am definitely stealing this idea next time I hear incessant whining. The children have been getting ridiculous lately.
IA Jen