Guest Project– Get-Out-Of-Bed-Free Tokens

Hi Sweet Peas & Bumblebees readers!  I'm Mindy and I'm chief cook and bottle washer over at my blog Rindy Mae.  I'm a complete stalker of Alisa and Briana's blog, so when they asked me to do a guest post, I nearly peed myself.  Only in blogland is one actually invited to run their mouth.

I'm the mom to two little critters who are five and three.  Lately, we've been having some issues at bedtime with the universal problem of them coming out their rooms with, "I need a drink of water", "I want you to snuggle me", "Look at what this toy does", "I see scary shadows".  You get the picture. I've been running this idea around in my head for awhile now, but didn't know exactly how to execute it.  Yesterday, I decided it was finally time to get this problem nipped in the bud. Art project!!!  I explained the logic behind the project to them, (which I will also share with you), and then we headed out on a scavenger hunt.  The goal:  10 small, round, flat rocks.  We brought them in, got them washed, and busted out the craft paint.  They each chose what they wanted on their rocks and I painted them while they painted pictures for me.  I used a rattle can polyurethane to seal them.

The Girl chose ladybugs and flowers.   The Kid chose turtles and flowers.

Here's what we've named "Get-Out-Of-Bed-Free Tokens":

Here's how it will work:  I let them each pick out a box from my stash to put their five rocks in.

At the beginning of the week, they will start out with all of their rocks.  If they want to get out of bed once they've been tucked in, they will need to hand over one of their "tokens" to The Mom or The Dad.  Once the "tokens" are gone, no getting up.  If they make it through the week with five "tokens" remaining, they'll get a "special prize".

 

We did a trial run last night.  The Girl, who normally gets up two or three times, only got up once, immediately after being tucked in, for a glass of water.  She brought a token with her.

 

The Kid, who also gets up several times, didn't get up once.  This morning he bragged about still having all five and is dialed in on that "special prize".   

I'm thinkin' I just may have solved the problem.

 

I'd love for you guys to come visit me over at Rindy Mae and say hi.  I'm a sucker for comments.

 

I want to say thank you again to Alisa and Briana for having me! 

 

Mindy

What a great idea to keep the kids in bed!  Thanks for sharing Mindy!

Here are some of my favorite Mindy ideas from her blog, Rindy Mae:

{Pottery Barn Turtle Stool Knock-Off}

{Crabby Patty:  A Kid Lunch}

{Framed Flower Art}

{Orange Pork in Lettuce Cups}

Be sure to stop by Rindy Mae…you’ll be glad you did!  And even better, become her newest follower so you don’t miss out on a single one of her amazing posts!