We've had Wii for two years, and for two years I've nagged the kids to pick up the remotes and games and turn off the TV when they were done playing. Since I hate nagging, I would alternate between cleaning up myself and going to lengths to get the kids to do it. And I complained a lot. Finally I decided that every time I picked up the Wii clutter, I would take one game and put it in time out until it was earned back. We have thirteen Wii games. Within two weeks, I had eight of them. I don't think anyone noticed until I'd confiscated about seven.
The kids are being much more careful about picking up after they play Wii. However, they have no desire to earn their games back. This weekend, the playroom was a disaster. I announced that any kid who helped to clean it could choose one Wii game to get back.
No one cleaned the playroom.
Whenever I suggest a way to earn back a game, the kids begin a round of accusations declaring that the other two were responsible for losing the games in the first place and that they are innocent victims of the game loss. Therefore, they should do nothing to help earn the games back. Fingers are pointed, accusations are made, arguments started, and names called.
They don't want their Wii games back as much as they want to be right.
Not one is willing to take responsibility for his actions.
As long as they focus only on themselves, they will never earn back a Wii game.
Some days I feel like I'm raising a bunch of politicians.
3 comments:
Don't you hate it when your kids are so smart/dumb that the regular tricks of discipline don't work?! If I take away stuff, they just find something else to play with. Sad, Sad, Sad! And my eldest just informed me that she plans on being in debate because she loves to argue.....
I am willing to load the dishwasher, unload the dishwasher and yes, even clean a bathroom if you want a chore for a wii game.
I can also vacuum. I can sit and answer the phone so it won't interrupt your reading and or writing time. Perhaps peppermint bark to earn some games?
Let me know.
I am willing!
a
i am right there with you! I don't care who made the mess or who is responsible for trashing the house...just fix it! I love that you are taking their games. That's awesome. My kids would never notice. Our elf arrived tonight and there seems to be a slight improvement around our house though.
Post a Comment