Chore Chart

Let me start by saying that I have never been much of an allowance kind of mom. I think my 10 year old should do chores because he is part of the family. I mean, after all, no one pays me to vacuum or cook dinner or clean the toilets. I do it because I am the mom.

But, I also don't like buying me son everything he asks for at the store...I don't like being asked for things at the store...I think my son should save his money and buy what he wants.

Hmmm...won't pay him for his chores, yet I want him to buy the things he wants with his own money...doesn't add up, does it.

So, along with the new homeschool year, I implemented a new chore chart.

Jake has a list of 5 chores that should be done every day. When he completes a chore, he can put a sticker on the chart. He can earn extra stickers for helping with extra things (like bringing in the groceries, helping with the lawn, etc.). A full chore chart = $5.

Let me say that this week we have had no grumbling over the chores. He does them happily! He has already been making some decisions on what he wants to buy with his money.

WOW!

Go to http://www.rocksinmydryer.net/ for other 'Works For Me' posts.

Blogrollin' and Lovin'It!

Ok, so I never really liked how all the blogs I read took up so much space on my sidebar. It seemed like the list went on and on...then I read this (You have to scroll about 1/2 way down the page to see what I am talking about...to 'Linking in new windows and unky-awesome blogrolls - I couldn't get the post to open in its own window...look for the Works for Me Wednesday sign) on Christine's blog...and, TA DA!

Check out my new blog roll over there...too cool, huh?

That's what worked for me today!

My Son and His Food

Rocks In My Dryer hosts a 'Works For Me Wednesday' and this is the first time I am adding to that...but it's a backwards post...I need to know what works for you!

Here's my dilemma...

My son is 9 (almost 10) years old and he loves to eat! Now, I do my best to limit his intake. We have breakfast, no snack, lunch, snack and then dinner. The snacks consist of fruit, veggies, snack crackers or such.

He is a moderatly active child. He is involved in Tae Kwon Do 2 nights a week, plays in the church gym one night a week and is on an Asian Dance Team that meets one night a week.

This said, he is a bit overweight which is why I consider this issue to be of utmost importance.

Here's where I need help...when I am not watching my son will eat more than he should. For instance, the other day at church, we had breakfast. While I was with him, he had 1 breakfast taco and 1 donut. Great! Then, he went to his Sunday School class and...had 2 kolaches and a cupcake. When I found this out, he stated that this was a snack! Ugh! Not 30 minutes after he had breakfast with me! Then, yesterday, we went to Chick-fil-a. He had a sandwich and fries. My daughter didn't finish her fries. He asked if he could finish them and I said no. Then, a few minutes pass and I throw everything into a bag and ask him to throw it away. On his way to the trash can, he is digging in the bag to find the fries and eat them! UGH!!!

So, my question, how do you control your child's eating? Not when you are watching, but when you are not with them. What works for you?

**UPDATE** Jake's Sunday School teacher (who I did not know read my blog - Hi Julie :) ) stopped me in church to say that Jake actually had 2 pigs in a blanket and a mini cupcake. So, his church binge wasn't as bad as I thought, but this is still something I want him to be conscious of.