Reflections from 3/30 Mtg

Here were some ideas for ways to help motivate your kids to do chores cheerfully:

• The Energy Tank - this was the idea that negative things kids do (making a mess and leaving it, fighting with each other, talking back, etc) drain our energy tanks, but positives (getting along with each other, cleaning up their mess, cleaning someone else's mess, etc) put energy back in our tanks.  So, for example, if a child wants to go to a friend's house, you could say, "You know what? I used all my energy up listening to you fight with your sister.  I don't have any left to take you to your friend's house." And vice versa
• The Bucket (what was its official name, Doneen?) - put both chores and fun things on individual slips of paper and put them in the bucket.  Whenever the child says s/he is bored, select a slip from the bucket and do whatever is on it.

Another thing we talked about was perhaps moving meeting locations.  These two ideas were suggested:

• Add a 3rd house - The Kocis and the Zeiglers graciously offer their places, but it's a lot of work for them, both before and after.  Rick and I offered our house, but we could really only do it in the summers and send the kids across the street to the park.  We would also need a third baby-sitter.
• Meet at the church - This would be easy for the kids because they could play on the playground or in the gym.  It's less "homey" and we would need to be sure to leave it cleaner than we found it.

Ideas?  Post your comments here.