One parenting technique we have utilized for over 1.5 years now, with our older children is the marble jar. It has worked famously for us! Each child has a marble jar (you can buy one at Target for $6), and added their name on the lid in some decorative fashion. We also have the "Big Jar", where we house the extra marbles to be earned. Since tythe is an important part of our beliefs, we have also incorporated "God's Jar".
Earning Marbles:
We have a typed list of "procedures" on our refrigerator, which my husband and I have come up with based on things we feel our kids need to be incorporating into their daily routines. From time to time, we adjust the list. For each of these "procedures" followed they receive a marble in their jar. We allow them to earn them daily. Our list includes: brushing their teeth, setting the table, helping with dishes, doing their homework, reading, etc.
Redeeming Marbles:
In our house, marbles can be redeemed for certain privileges or be turned into money. For example, my husband may offer a movie night, with popcorn (a special treat), and offer that anyone wanting to come can for 5 marbles. The kids eagerly hand in their marbles. Another option and the main one utilized in our house, is turning them in for cash. We have set a cash value on each marble.
Removal of Marbles:
We have also taken away marbles for poor choices in behavior. We have been pleasantly surprised at how quickly this technique gets their attention.
Tythe:
We take a marble out each day to be added to "God's Jar". Sometimes our kids have wanted to add more than that, which delights us greatly. When "God's Jar" gets to a certain point, we donate the money as a family to a church ministry. We enjoy seeing the kids get excited to carry the marbles (turned into money by this point), into our church and give it as their part.
Benefits:
We have found benefits to include: better behavior, more help around the house (meaning they appreciate better all that mom and dad do, too), learning in new ways the importance of giving a percentage of all they have to God, help with negative behaviors, and surprisingly money management. Since the kids are given the opportunity to "spend" their marbles, they have each gained a better appreciation for the value of a dollar and have learned a lot about not impulse buying. While I try and steer them away from candy, I do not usually tell them how to spend their money. I have more than once casually mentioned that I did not think their potential purchase would last, but then I let it go and let them decide. One of my young daughter's decided not to heed my warning one time and bought the cheap toy anyway. By the time we got to the car, it was broken. To her credit she did not cry or complain, but I did hear her say, "I should have listened to Mommy." Although each of our children have had to learn at different times what not to buy the hard way, they are learning it now, while they are young and under our tutelage and protection.
