An Idea On How to Make Money Repeating Yourself
Repeat. It is what I do all day…repeat myself. “Please eat your breakfast.” “Do you have your shoes on?” “Make your bed.” “Brush your teeth.” “Did you pack up your backpack?” “Pick up your room.” But my all time favorite is “Keep your hands to yourself!”
This morning after about the 10th time of asking my lovely children nicely to please eat their oatmeal, it hit me. Remember the saying “If only I had a nickel for every time…”?
I announced that the next time, and every time after that, I have to ask to "please eat your oatmeal", EVERY one of you will have to give me a dollar from your piggy bank. Adding the peer pressure angle worked wonders.
There was immediate silence and breakfast was eaten. Of course the 5 year old tried to be funny a few times, but the 11 eleven year has such a mean look she can give him that he quickly fell in line.
So, that's when I realized that the heart of the matter is money, even for kids. They really don’t want to have to give mom their birthday money, Christmas stash or the money earned doing chores. This was my big opportunity to really get control over a few situations. So I quickly made a sign and put it on a large jar placed on the kitchen counter. The sign says “Mom’s Repeat Money”. I told the kids, while they were quietly eating their oatmeal, that they will have to pay me .25c for every time I have to ask them to “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”. It is a tax I told them, for my wasted time repeating myself. They laughed! Well, it is funny. However, I told them I was serious and predicted that I would be the proud owner of a great pair of new tall boots by Thanksgiving...at the rate they were going. (Well I can wish can't I?)
The challenge is on. I'll keep you posted.
This morning after about the 10th time of asking my lovely children nicely to please eat their oatmeal, it hit me. Remember the saying “If only I had a nickel for every time…”?
I announced that the next time, and every time after that, I have to ask to "please eat your oatmeal", EVERY one of you will have to give me a dollar from your piggy bank. Adding the peer pressure angle worked wonders.
There was immediate silence and breakfast was eaten. Of course the 5 year old tried to be funny a few times, but the 11 eleven year has such a mean look she can give him that he quickly fell in line.
So, that's when I realized that the heart of the matter is money, even for kids. They really don’t want to have to give mom their birthday money, Christmas stash or the money earned doing chores. This was my big opportunity to really get control over a few situations. So I quickly made a sign and put it on a large jar placed on the kitchen counter. The sign says “Mom’s Repeat Money”. I told the kids, while they were quietly eating their oatmeal, that they will have to pay me .25c for every time I have to ask them to “Keep Your Hands to Yourself”. It is a tax I told them, for my wasted time repeating myself. They laughed! Well, it is funny. However, I told them I was serious and predicted that I would be the proud owner of a great pair of new tall boots by Thanksgiving...at the rate they were going. (Well I can wish can't I?)
The challenge is on. I'll keep you posted.
Add a Comment
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Comment by Kristina on November 14, 2009 at 8:45am - Haha, I love it! My son is 3 and wouldn't fully understand this concept yet, but I'll be keeping this in mind.
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Comment by Beth Ann Bentley on November 12, 2009 at 6:18am - Fantastic! I hope you have a great new pair of boots soon! Or whatever it is you really want. Good Luck.
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Comment by Melanie Derrick on November 11, 2009 at 10:30pm -
Ok. I tried this today. My kids thought it was a great idea...at first! 2 kids paid me $1.25 each and 1 $0.50. (We're using quarters). My kids are freaking out! It's awesome. Even our 5 year old, who is our totally hyper, climb the walls, jump off the counters, can't hold still to save his life kid, actually practiced some self control today. He does'nt want to loose his money either.He's saving up for a toy rifle. I think this just might work. Thanks for the idea. =0)
Melanie
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Comment by Kimberly Johnston on November 11, 2009 at 2:57pm - Done! Sitting on my kitchen table! Mother of 6 my repeats are endless! I'm over it! I'll be rich by tomorrow -- woo hoo! Thanks for the idea! Bizeex6
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Comment by Melanie Derrick on November 10, 2009 at 9:28pm
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Oh man! This is awesome! I so need to try this. My kids love having extra money to spend. Its funny how much money means even to kids. OOOOH, now this is leverage. Thanks for the idea. I'll be interested to read your updates. =0)
Melanie
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Comment by Beth Ann Bentley on November 10, 2009 at 8:17pm
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My husband has decided to keep his mouth shut as he now realizes the tax could quickly effect him as well.
BA
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Comment by Dawn on November 10, 2009 at 3:33am - Love this, I will be rich soon :D
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Comment by Amy Dix on November 9, 2009 at 12:05pm
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Haha I love the above poster's idea about using this with the hubby. He's 10 times worse than my preschoolers!
Thanks for the idea-will definitely put that to use some day.
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Comment by Glenda Silva on November 7, 2009 at 8:22pm - I love it!!! I have to try this...not with the kids but with the hubby!!! Thanks for the wonderful idea!
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Comment by Carrie Zerafa on November 6, 2009 at 9:09pm - I love it! I have little ones and will probably reduce it to a nickel each time...they love the dollar store so this will put a dent into their weekly shopping!
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