Caught you being kind!

Let me be the first to say, a parenting expert I certainly am not. However I am a big believer of do whatever works for you and when you find something that works, share the wealth!

Lately my wild man G has been pushing buttons I didn't even know I had. Discipline was becoming a four letter word in our house. The little guy is a little too smart for his own good and nothing was working. Timeout, spanking, taking away toys. They all just brought on laughter from the culprit and frustration from the exhausted parent.

The other day at a friend's house I noticed a glass bowl with balls on her counter. Wondering if I had missed the latest in kitchen decor I asked what it was. She then explained, "Caught you being kind!"

Basically "Caught you being kind!" rewards good behavior instead of focusing on the negative. All you need are some ping pong balls and a big glass bowl.

Anytime you see your little one doing something good, you say, "Caught you being kind!" and they get to put a "kind ball" in the bowl. For G, we have told him he has to get ten balls in his bowl, and then can pick a treat. We told him he could go and pick out a toy or go get a milkshake, anything he wanted. He has requested Chuck E. Cheese {oh yippee!}. But if he does something that is not kind, we take a ball out. 

I have to say I was extremely skeptical if this would work, but it has! It's like he is a completely different kid. He now refers to himself as "Kind George." Don't get me wrong, he still has his moments, but I see a trip to Chuck E. Cheese in our near future.