Quick Takes: Creative Rewards # 61-65

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids. This is generally a once a month feature that offers alternatives to stickers, food, or purchases for treats and rewards.  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders and locations. Adjust for your own kids and your own region. [Creative Rewards #1-60 can be found if you search "Rewards."]

61. If you live where it is possible, build a snow sculpture 
 

62. Get a “Skip a Chore” card

63. Choose a weekend family activity

64. Make s'mores or toast marshmallows over a stove burner.

65. Go to a movie theater


Image credits: mbd2.com, wn.com

Holidays 101: #13- Different Dinner Out

Try on a new holiday tradition.  Think of someone in your neighborhood, or faith group, or circle of friends who is likely to be alone for the holidays.  While it may not be practical or best to have them come to you for the actual holiday/s, there is no reason not to show them your love anyway during the season.Work as a family to bring them a holiday meal and some holiday cheer! Give up one of your holiday meals to bring holiday meals to those otherwise alone.

1. Choose two or three people to visit. 

2. Kids can make cards wishing a good holiday and saying other nice things specific to the person. Parents can add a mention that you will be stopping by on [date] around [time]  to drop off some holiday food if it is convenient for them. Be sure to include your phone number in case they need to let you know they won't be home at that time. 

3. Go to a local dollar store and pick up a tray  [or a cookie sheet you can convert to a tray].

4. Buy some cute seasonal paper plates and plastic-ware. Fix the tray to look cheery and add a "thinking of you" place card with the person's name and more holiday wishes and compliments inside.

5. Working as a family put together a dessert or snack bag of goodies ahead and fix a special meal for the night stated.  Fix an extra supper plate for each person you will visit. Take the food, tray, dishes, utensils, cards.. and of course desserts with you.

6. Drive to each house chosen and make your delivery of greetings and tray of food.  Set it up for them on their table or next to their chair.  Maybe play or sing some holiday music or just shower them with holiday greetings and cheerful smiles.  Spend a few minutes with each person before heading on your way to the next stop.

7. On your way home, pick up a simple pizza for you to share for your meal.  Talk about the power of a simple hand in hand, a bit of holiday cheer, and a little effort can give an incredible message of caring.

Trust me, the joy of giving your evening meal to those who wouldn't have had one and bringing the holiday spirit to them will make that pizza taste better than almost any meal you could have had at home!

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #56-60

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids. Except for last month [when I forgot] this is a once a month feature to come up with alternatives to stickers and food and purchases for treats and rewards.  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders and locations. Adjust for your own kids and your own region. [Creative Rewards #1-55 can be found if you search "Rewards."]

56. Have an ice cream party

57. Play frisbee

58. Backwards dinner

59. Start a collection

60. Help rake leaves AND jump in the pile [region dependent]
or wash a car in bathing suits



Image credits: thefamilygroove.com, nyscaa.org, sayleadershipcoaching.com 

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #51-55

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids. This is generally a once a month feature to come up with alternatives to stickers and food and purchases for treats and rewards.  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders and locations. Adjust for your own kids and your own region. [Creative Rewards #1-50 can be found if you search "Rewards."]

51. Have an extra bedtime story

52. Face painting

53. Have a squirt gun fight

54. Pick bouquet of flowers from your yard without penalty

55. Outdoor Art/Craft time 

P.S. Remember that these are not just activities for young children.... teens can have fun with these too.

Image credits: 

addiejones.com,

opa.ca.gov,

facefocus.com.au, 

friendlyclowns.com

Anything Can Happen: M&M Cakes

My youngest birth daughter is getting married soon and I was looking for unusual wedding cake pictures to send her as a joke.

When I say this M & M cake it occured to me what fun it might be for young kids to decorate a plain white frosted sheet cake with M&Ms.

Think of the fun they could have making pictures, rainbows, flowers, or even spelling out a word.

Celebrate the end of summer or the first week of school or Labor Day or whatever excuse you want.  Have some fun with it.

Send me photos if you can?

Image credit: bitrebels.com

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #46-50

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids.This generally is a once a month feature to come up with alternatives to stickers and food and purchases for treats and rewards.  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders and locations. Adjust for your own kids and your own region. 

46. Have a marshmallow fight!

47. Catch bugs [and release!]

48. Learn to play horsehoes with a friend.

49. Have some water balloon fun

50. Have a friend's sleepover.

E N J O Y !  !

[Creative Rewards #1-45 can be found if you search "Rewards."]




Images credits: totalwomanshow.ca, babble.com, kids.nationalgeographic.com,
 flickr.com, raccoonnews.blogspot.com, obrag.org

Parenting Tips: In Praise of F.O.B.

As heat continues to be a problem for many many states around the country, kids are tired AND hot, bored AND hot, whiny AND hot.  It is not a pretty picture for parents who desperately want a few minutes without whining, complaining, or interruptions in general.  I offer no miracle, but an idea that worked well as I was growing up and has continued to work with the many children I have raised.

When I was a child and teen my parents called it a "reading nap." My older kids resented anything with the word "nap" in it so I stole and adapted the term summer camps often use: "F.O.B."  At summer camps "F.O.B." stands for Feet on Bunk.  In my house it stands for Feet on Bed. What is Feet on Bed?

1. 30 to 60 minutes of respite for everyone from everyone.

2. Their feet must stay on their bed for whatever the specified time is. [I've even done it with just 15 minutes when desperate.]

3. Children can read or look at books. If they aren't readers they can play with legos, color, cars, craft, whatever, as long as they are quiet and their feet stay on their beds.  [When starting it, give them ideas and materials to stay occupied. Even the gift of a special coloring book or puzzle book or new toy car to make it special can make children more amenable to the idea.]

4. Use your own judgment about whether electronic devices are allowed or not

5. I set their alarm clocks so they know when time is up. [Otherwise "Is it time yet?" will become as frustrating as the traditional "Are we there yet?"]  Hint: Also be sure to have each child use the bathroom before heading in to avoid the other obvious ploy.

6. On hot days it will cool you down, in cold seasons you can cuddle in and get cozy warm.

Try it!  Start young if you can and it will be a happy habit for years to come. For some the alone time will be more reward than routine.  F.O.B. helps teach children to find a quiet time and space in their day to slow down, calm down, play independently, and more. A good lesson for all of us, children, teens, or even adults.

Image credits: imagine.com, 123rf.com, imaginationsoup.com

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #41-45

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids. Except for last month [when I forgot] this is a once a month feature to come up with alternatives to stickers and food and purchases for treats and rewards.  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders and locations. Adjust for your own kids and your own region. [Creative Rewards #1-40 can be found if you search "Rewards."] 

41. Go to an outdoor concert

42. Have a squirt gun fight

43. Visit a new playground

44. Have a kids cookout

45. Water fun time [hose, sprinkler, etc.]

Watch for the next installment of creative reward ideas next month.

Image credits:  mainetoday.com,boundlessplaygrounds.org

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #36-40

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids.  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders. [Creative Rewards #1-35 can be found if you search "Rewards."]

36. Get a manicure or special haircut. 

37. Have a family pillow fight. [Hint: Set a timer and use old, soft pillows!]

38. Visit a children's museum.

39. Help them pick out and subscribe to a magazine that will come addressed to them.

40. It's May... give them a hint of the summer they are so eager to enjoy. 

Set up a "picnic" in the living room.  Spread a plastic table cloth on the floor, splurge on some picnic ware or recycled paper plates and have some fun.... bonus.... no ants, mosquitos or flies!!

Watch for the next installment of creative reward ideas a month from now.

Image credit: digitalcorvettes.com, good-times.webshots.com

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards # 31-35

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids.  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders. [Creative Rewards #1-30 can be found if you search "Rewards."]

31. Go to a morning yard sale. 

32. Plant a window box.

33. Go bowling. [Take advantage of bumpers for the little ones.]

34. Go for a walk alone with mom or dad. [Let them take the lead on conversation.]

35. In honor of April Showers......

Give them a ride to school. [Or, maybe a ride to school pass they can save for a rainy day.] 

Don't forget that I'd love to hear what your kids find rewarding!

Watch for the next installment of creative reward ideas a month from now.

Image credit: breckenridgemountainrealty.com, yogini786.wordpress.com

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #26-30

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids.  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders. [Creative Rewards #1-25 can be found if you search "Rewards."]

 26. Have a "Play on the bed" nap.  No somersaults or cartwheels, but blocks and toys are ok as long as they stay quiet and on their bed. 

 27. Freedom to skip the "veggie" night.  [Oh come on... it's just one night, and another time you can offer freedom to skip meat or milk.]

 28. Play with a bubble wand and bubble mix. [If you can go outdoors, go crazy with this one and try some new ideas for wands. It's a double reward if you play with them!] 

 29. A "Don't have to help bring in the groceries" pass.  

30.   Invite a grownup friend to have dinner. [Maybe have the child make and decorate name cards for each place?]   


Beginning to realize a world of non-food rewards, non-expensive rewards that bring joy and delight??

Watch for the next installment of creative reward ideas a month from now.

Image credit: bellsouthpwp2.net, childreach.wordpress.com

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #21-25

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids.  Since this is February, maybe you can surprise them with a valentine reward just because you love them. Examples are for a mix of ages and genders. [Creative Rewards #1-20 can be found if you search "Rewards."]

 21.  Backwards Supper.... dessert first, then the main course 

 22.  Go ice or roller skating [with hot chocolate afterwards for a really special reward].

 23.  Freedom to sleep in as late as you want... no penalty. 

 24.  A "Get out of Timeout" card to be used whenever they choose. 

25.  First choice of seat in the car for a day or a week.  

Watch for the next installment of creative reward ideas a month from now.

Image credit: elitebridalconcierge.com

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #16-20

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids.   Examples are for a mix of ages and genders. [Creative Rewards #1-15 are in earlier blog entries.]

 16.  Use special dinnerware [good china or crazy funky paper plates]

 17.  Bubble bath with colored soap crayons. [washable of course!]

 18.  Trip to the library with a friend of their choice.

 19.  Pick the radio station or CD for the car ride. 

20.  Chewing Gum [especially if you surprise them with a new or crazy flavor]

Image credit: ameasureofgrace.blogspot.com

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #11-15

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids.  Since this is December, the holiday season, I've chosen "gifts" that children find an extra delight, making them wonderful rewards. I've also chosen rewards that are for the whole family.  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders. [Creative Rewards #1-10 are in Oct 2, Nov 6 blog entries.]

 11.  Tickets to see a special event  [concert, sport event, new movie]

 12.  Kids breakfast in bed [served on a fancy tray with all the trimmings!]

 13.  A TV show BEFORE homework...[once in a rare while won't kill their study habits and the firmer the rule, the greater the privilege]

 14.  A chore free Saturday [this is best if the chores are replaced with family together time such as games or holiday activities]

15.  Family Movie Night [Rent a goodie, pop the popcorn, serve up movie candy, bring pillows out on the floor, the whole works]

Note: Even if only one child earned the reward, letting the whole family share is a powerful message. How nice for a child to know THEIR good deed brought pleasure to the whole family.

Image credit: 1000awesomethings.com

Quick Takes: Creative Rewards #6-10

Today's quick take is five more creative rewards for your kids.  Since this is November, the season of thanks, make a simple thank you note. See if they can guess what good deed or behavior earned them the card and the reward listed inside!  Examples are for a mix of ages and genders. [Creative Rewards #1-5 are in Oct 2 blog entry.]

 6.  Ice cream party  [basic ice cream, special sauces, fruit, sprinkles, nuts... as crazy as you want]

 7.  Get a bedtime back rub or extra story [often great with young kiddos]

 8.  One-on-one time with a favorite adult [breakfast out together is a common favorite choice]

 9.  Stay up late [the thrill of getting to stay up past bedtime rarely gets old]

10.  Marshmallow Roast [s'mores taste just as good toasted over the kitchen stove]


Note: If you have several children be sure that you find ways for each of them to get a thank you if at all possible. The size of reward may be different if behavior is radically different.

Image credit: elitebridalconcierge.com

QuickTakes: Creative Rewards 1-5

Friday Quick Takes... lists, book reviews, recipes. Today's entry is a list of five unusual ways to reward your child for good choices or good behavior. Nothing on today's list is extra calories or extra expense so give them a try the next time!

1. First choice of seats at the table. [Even head of the table.]

2. First choice of seat in the car. [Except driver's!!]

3. Control over who sits where for dinner. [Everyone must be gracious and pleasant regardless of who they are put next to by the one in control.]

4. Control of the television remote. [Set a period of time of your choice.]

5. A One Chore-One Time free pass. [Kids love watching you do their chores.]

If you are a crafty person, you can make certificates for each of these that they can hang onto and "cash in" when they choose. Kids love that. You can even post the certificates in a reward basket or bowl so kids can see them and be reminded of the rewards that are available for good behavior.

Send me some of your best, most unusual rewards... especially if they don't cost much and aren't food.