Those of you with kids!

[critter crazy]

well hubby and I sat down last night and discussed the issue. We have decided that we are just no longer going to buys snacks for the kids. From now on, since I am home all day, i will put together wholesome snacks, in single serve tupperware containers. They are only allowed to have one, and if it is not finished, then the lid goes back on, and they get the same one the next time. I will be buying, bulk juices and such, no more juice boxes. Plastic cups and an ice cube will have to do! as well as water and Milk. No soda! I will have soda in the house, but it will be off limits! for mommy, and daddy, or company, and maybe only as a special treat with our permission only. Lunch box items, will only be used for that! Snacks will consist of Veggies, fruits, and homemade goodies. The kids are now going to be given chores. These chores must be completed daily. These chores will consist of cleaning bedrooms, making beds, and various small tasks. As is the rule now, all homework must be completed as soon as they are home from school. there are now going to be time limits on TV, and video games. Snacks are only to be eaten in the kitchen, at the table. No sneaking into bedrooms or Living room. same with all drinks. I am in the process of putting together achart with schedules, and the above mentioned new rules. I hope this works! I know it will take some time to get used to, but it has to be done. Things are just out of control. Thank you all for your Advise! and thank you all for letting me vent!

If you have any suggestions, to my above statements, and rules, please feel free to comment! I am always open to suggestions!

[borzoimom]

Paper cups have a way of being used for everything but the drinks- lol. My mother had colored plastic cups, and that was basically yours for the afternoon.. 4 Cups verses like 20 paper cups..

[Cataholic]

I dan't have kids, but I can tell you my dad would have simply charged us for all the uneaten food.

I am right there with you. We were charged a nickel every time we left a light on in a room. THAT hit us hard.

Wasted food is a sin, IMO.

[Blue_Frog]

It sounds like you and your husband have set out some good ideas

Could you set something up with rewards to go along with the chores etc? (but not a monetary one). Something like setting up a chart of days of the week, and each chore for each day is worth differnet numbers of stars -- like making the bed is one star, cleaning and vaccuming the room is worth 3 stars etc. and they could turn in these stars at different intervals for 'treats' (like a can of coke is 5 stars, etc.).

And this way, if things go well over several weeks you could start introducing 'Special Order' treats - things that they specially want - that they could purchase with these stars, and you could sit down together and figure out with them how many stars the treat is worth to them? This might help them to see the cause and effect that work does?

[critter crazy]

It sounds like you and your husband have set out some good ideas

Could you set something up with rewards to go along with the chores etc? (but not a monetary one). Something like setting up a chart of days of the week, and each chore for each day is worth differnet numbers of stars -- like making the bed is one star, cleaning and vaccuming the room is worth 3 stars etc. and they could turn in these stars at different intervals for 'treats' (like a can of coke is 5 stars, etc.).

And this way, if things go well over several weeks you could start introducing 'Special Order' treats - things that they specially want - that they could purchase with these stars, and you could sit down together and figure out with them how many stars the treat is worth to them? This might help them to see the cause and effect that work does?

That is an awsome Idea!!!!! Thank you!!!!! definitely gonna try that one!!!!

[Blue_Frog]

No problem-o -- I don't have any kids, but 5 years in the Educational Toy Store/Teacher Supply and I have all kinds of funny kid-related ideas

[Husky_mom]

very nice inputs here.......

what I´ve done so far anything uneaten gets served later.........

I hate to leve anything uneaten myself, but sometimes you just can´t finish so I save it for later to dinner or even the next day......tupperware and microwave are sure handy LOL

the reward methos is very interesting I should try for fun