Loving and Kindness Jar

Over the last few months, we've heard a lot more of this:

"Mom! She hit me!" ...

 "Give that to me RIGHT now!" ...

"You're the MEANEST mom EVER!" ...

"You're not the boss!" ...

"Mom! She won't leave me alone!" ...

I hope that I'm not alone in saying that it's just exhausting and frustrating

trying to discipline and keep a happy and "nice" tone in your home.

So, I finally resorted to some "outside" help...

the "Loving and Kindness" Jar. :)

*This could be any jar, but I found that a mason jar was fitting for our family.
I bought 5 different color "gems" at the dollar store and decorated it (of course)
with some of the craftiness I have laying around the house.*

This is how it works:

*For us, the whole family participates...even mom and dad.

*If someone (anyone) sees someone doing something nice for someone else
(it can be ANY kind or loving gesture) we will add a gem into the jar.
Sometimes, it could be worth 2 or more!

*Each person has their own color of gems...

*You cannot tell about something YOU did. And you cannot add the gem yourself.

(Parents included)

*When the jar gets full, we get to do something fun as a family.

For us, we all agreed (I know, that's a first, lol) to go to Kangaroo Zoo when it was full...

There are many possibilities here, but it has to be something that is worth waiting a couple weeks for...

Or a month. Or two.

Sometimes it may take a while for the kids to get the hang of it

(even the adults, lol).

*Make sure to put the jar somewhere that everyone can see it everyday.

You may have to remind everyone about the jar from time to time.

*When it's full...do not postpone the prize too long or it may lose it's effect!

We are almost to the top, and it is moving painfully slow.

I guess I better start being nice to Ric! ;)