Accountable Kids- Just had to share!

Confession time...I am not the most organized person, especially when it comes to schedules, check lists, calendars, routines, cleaning, etc. I've always been a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of gal, which may have worked okay in my younger years, but just doesn't seem to fly now that I have kids. I know my kids need structure and routine, and I certainly know that I need it too! The question is how does a person who probably struggles with some ADD tendencies herself come up with a plan to help her kids focus? I have tried and tried to come up with my own charts, chore lists, sticker charts, rewards and consequence systems, and some worked for awhile, but either my girls got tired of them or I did! I knew I needed help, and I definitely knew things needed to change around our house. A friend of mine posted a link about Accountable Kids on her facebook page. I went to their website to check it out. After watching their video demo, I knew I had found the right solution for our family. My husband and girls watched the video too, and we all agreed we at least had to try it.

Basically, the system consists of a name board with pegs on it that chores and tickets hang from. You assign your child basic chores to be completed each day. When they complete morning chores, they get a ticket. The same with afternoon and evening, for a chance to earn three tickets per day. They can then use the tickets to cash in for different activities that they like to do. (ex. television, video games,etc.) They can also lose a ticket if they display a certain negative behavior. Both activities and unacceptable behaviors are agreed upon in advance by the whole family. There are other layers to the system like extra chores which they can earn a bonus buck for and even a date card, which helps teach them about setting goals and delayed gratification. You can have your kids decorate their boards or for a little more money they will engrave them for you. We chose to let the girls decorate their own.


So, we've had the boards for almost 2 months now. How's it going? Well, we ALL love them. The girls LOVE turning their daily chore cards over when the chore is completed and they love earning tickets and now bonus bucks. No longer do I have to wake my 8 year old daughter and set out her clothes. She is up and going all on her own. The TV is hardly ever on. They both would rather use their tickets for other things, and often chose to leave the TV off! I've also noticed them helping each other and pitching in without even being asked. I have had them ask me if they will get a ticket or bonus buck for helping me when I have asked them for help. It is such a teachable moment, where I can explain that just like in life, we often do things just for the blessing of knowing we have helped someone else, not for what we will earn. They are getting it! I used to find that I was constantly repeating myself, "Go brush your teeth, GO BRUSH YOUR TEETH!" I don't have to do that anymore. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the highest) I give it a 5!

We are all still a work in progress, but I will say we are all improving! I am SO THANKFUL for the Accoutability Kids program. I have a lot more to say about it, but my blog is already pretty long, so feel free to ask me more next time you see me! OR you can visit their website and learn more!

http://accountablekids.com/quickstart
or just click on the Accountable Kids title at the top of my post and it will take you directly there!