Is it irony that I write about choosing happiness and then spend the day caterwauling at my kids? Maybe not irony, just bad timing. The return from California has been difficult not only because of jet lag, but because my head is spinning with so many new ideas and responsibilities that it is really hard to focus. We all know what happens when a mom is distracted-kids act nutty.
That is exactly what is happening here and I have not handled it very well. There’s been lots of screaming and exasperated sighs.
Enter my new friend Teach Mama. I have admired her from afar on the Internet. She is one of those smart people who takes every wonderful thing she does in the classroom and brings it home to her kids. Duh.
I have been notoriously bad at that so I have looked to her for guidance. I was over the moon that I got to meet her in person at Yahoo! last week. (More on that later.)
Last night, it was with great relief and almost giddy excitement that I read her post on gems and jars. She uses a common classroom behavior technique at home and her kids are thriving. The important thing to me is that it rewards good behaviors instead of punishing bad. The kids have something to aim for instead of something to dread. You know, just like my students did. Duh.
Today we’ll head to get our jars and gems-hello, dollar store. Then we’ll have our family pow wow wherein we decide what we need to focus on. This I know for sure:it will be happiness.
P.S. Looking for more parenting guidance and tips for self-care? Check out From Chaos to Calm a guided training to help you feel better in this tough season.
That is exactly what is happening here and I have not handled it very well. There’s been lots of screaming and exasperated sighs.
Enter my new friend Teach Mama. I have admired her from afar on the Internet. She is one of those smart people who takes every wonderful thing she does in the classroom and brings it home to her kids. Duh.
I have been notoriously bad at that so I have looked to her for guidance. I was over the moon that I got to meet her in person at Yahoo! last week. (More on that later.)
Last night, it was with great relief and almost giddy excitement that I read her post on gems and jars. She uses a common classroom behavior technique at home and her kids are thriving. The important thing to me is that it rewards good behaviors instead of punishing bad. The kids have something to aim for instead of something to dread. You know, just like my students did. Duh.
Today we’ll head to get our jars and gems-hello, dollar store. Then we’ll have our family pow wow wherein we decide what we need to focus on. This I know for sure:it will be happiness.
oooo, definately keep us updated on how it goes! as a psycholgist/former behaviorist-parent educator I know that this will work — from personal experience too 🙂
I found you through Theta Mom and I've been enjoying your posts. I love the idea of gem jars or marble jars. It's something I really should try. My boys both have Aspergers, so we're still trying to find what works!
OH. my gosh. You are giving me way too much credit, my friend! I'm a typical teacher–an idea thief!–who tries things on my kiddos, that's all!
You are MY hero–a totally gorgeous and completely together businesswoman, incredible mom and teacher, friend to 1000's, and now one of my most favorite new pals ever.
Cannot wait to see you again in NYC in a few weeks!
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs from hot and muggy MD–
me
i have a magazine article ripped out hanging on the fridge for this very thing! marble jars. maybe i'll see you at the dollar store! 🙂