I started this years ago when my kids younger. Probably because my mom did something similar when I was young. Summers in AZ are hot, really really hot and you can't just tell you kids 'go play outside'. This worked for us for many years and maybe this (or a version of this) would work for you as well. 😀
Summer - “to do”
Must DO every day: (attitude can
affect the ability to earn privileges)
30 min
exercise
1 hour of
reading
Clean a drawer/cupboard
Math worksheet or game
- This will earn 1.5 hrs of TV (Just long enough for a kid movie)
- This will earn 1.5 hrs of TV (Just long enough for a kid movie)
Extra jobs for TV privileges
1. Clean out the Frig. = 30 min.
2. Book report (1/2 page) = 1 hr.
3. Write a letter to a family member (at
least 10 sentences, well thought out and neatly written) = 30 min
4. Play a board game (min of 30 min.) =
30 min.
5. Construct something out of Legos;
(must be something you can explain and be bigger than a cereal box) = 30 min.
6. Create a piece of artwork that is
“finished” (must be at least a 5X7; must have a rough draft; must have some
thought and reason behind it) = 30 min.
7. Create a video (fun or educational)
at least 3 min. long, edited and shown = 30 min.
8. Plan and cook Dinner = 1 hr. of
computer privileges (on the following day)
9. Try a new dessert recipe (only if no
other sweet treats are available) = 30 min
1. Service project for a family member =
Approved by mom
*TV means anything electronic – TV, Computer, Kindle/Ipad, Phone etc.
NOTE: There is a limit to TV privileges each day – 3 hrs.
This does not include anything we may
do as a family in the evening. This is specifically for daytime purposes only.
It was really fun to see how creative the kids got with some of the projects they thought of. We still love to rewatch videos the kids made back then and the artwork and fun cooking projects inevitably became an end in and of themselves without the need for added privileges.
With multiple kids, there can be some difficulty if some want to watch a movie or program that others don't want to use their time for. You will need to come up with a solution that works for your family. We happen to have 2 TVs the kids can use and beyond that, they can either join in or wait their turn. Most often, there were some kids that finished faster and were ready and the others just waited their turn. On days when we went to the pool or other big activity, this was put aside. This just gave our days a little more purpose and curbed the feelings of 'cabin fever'.
If you have ideas you would like to share that worked really well for your family, please share in the comments.
It was really fun to see how creative the kids got with some of the projects they thought of. We still love to rewatch videos the kids made back then and the artwork and fun cooking projects inevitably became an end in and of themselves without the need for added privileges.
With multiple kids, there can be some difficulty if some want to watch a movie or program that others don't want to use their time for. You will need to come up with a solution that works for your family. We happen to have 2 TVs the kids can use and beyond that, they can either join in or wait their turn. Most often, there were some kids that finished faster and were ready and the others just waited their turn. On days when we went to the pool or other big activity, this was put aside. This just gave our days a little more purpose and curbed the feelings of 'cabin fever'.
If you have ideas you would like to share that worked really well for your family, please share in the comments.
