Token Economy

I don’t have badly behaved kids.  On the contrary, I honestly believe that my children are maybe slightly above average on the discipline front.  I might be biased, which is normal I think, but I do try to see them through other people’s eyes just for a rounded perspective.  I don’t think they are perfect, but also, I don’t think I would classify them as demon spawn either.  They have their moments, but in a general sense, they are well-behaved.  They are kids though, so they cannot be expected to act in any particular fashion.  I don’t want to be a dictator, so they are left to be children when it is appropriate.  They are supposed to be mischievous and they need to be allowed to be themselves so that they can form.  Into the people that they are going to be, not who I want to mold them into.  That is the beauty in all of this.  They are individuals with built-in personalities, so it is NOT my job to tweak and chisel and buff them.

I’m going to try this.  The idea is to give the child something to work for.  The way they earn things they want is not through hard labor or chores, but exhibiting good behavior.  Of course, the whole “rewarding good behavior” tactic makes a ton of sense, but when this was presented to me, it gave me something tangible that I could manipulate to fit our personal situation.  When I can look at something physical as an example to go off of, I am much more likely to try it.  I am way excited about giving this a shot with my kids and watching to see whether or not it makes a difference.

Here’s what I’ve come up with for one of my kids.  This is our example:

The Token Economy:

Good Behavior Chart-

• Get Dressed (1st Time Asked) _____________________10
• Brush Teeth (morning)   _________________________10
• Eat Meal  _____________________________________5
• Dishes/Trash in the sink/trash can__________________5
• Shoes Put Up   _________________________________7
• Dirty Clothes in Utility Room______________________7
• Toys Put Up Before Bed    ________________________15
• Wash Hands After Potty   _________________________8
• Flush Toilet  __________________________________10
• Brush Teeth (bedtime)  __________________________10
• Good Report From School________________________15

What happens here is you list positive behaviors that you want to see from your child instead of behaviors you don’t want them to exhibit.  For each achieved good behavior, the child receives the designated number of tokens which are then placed in a jar or some other transparent container.  Tokens can be anything of the parent and/or child’s choosing.  For us, it will be marbles in multiple fluorescent colors.  I can’t see how a kid could dislike something colorful and noisy, so there it is.

It’s kind of a given that if there is more good there is less time for the not so good.

POSITIVE CAUSE=POSITIVE EFFECT

Also, I’ve heard children love to be in charge of things.  This gives them that opportunity, but in a way any parent can appreciate.  It also teaches them how to prioritize, put personal values on things they desire and how to save for bigger opportunities.  Sort of a money management exercise that could benefit them in their adult lives as well.  A win-win.  I love those!

Moving on.

Buy Chart-

• Drink of choice during dinner   __________5
• 1 Additional book at bedtime __________10
• Camping Trip _____________________100
• Museum__________________________75
• Library___________________________50
• Park _____________________________20
• Toys R Us ($15 budget)_______________50
• ” ” ($25 budget)_____________________75
• Weekend with “G”  ___________________60
• New game for Leapster _______________85
• New game for Wii ___________________70
• Bunk Beds________________________500
• Date with Mom_____________________50
• Date with Dad______________________50
• Vacation _______________________2000

Now, I realize some of these values might look strange, but this chart for this particular child is something I have put an incredible amount of thought into.  What am I willing to commit to?  What does he value and where do his values rank in relation with each other?  These are the most feasible Good Behavior and Buy Charts that I could come up with for this one kid.  I’m still working on the charts for the other child.  That one is going to be exhausting, so I’m working on it little by little.

I also am completely aware of the fact that the charts are not justified properly and don’t line up like I want them to, but try as I may, they refuse to cooperate.  It’s making me very uneasy.  That right there just goes to show how strange I really am.  Maybe I should offer them some sort of reward for complying…

So tell me, what do you think of this idea?  Any input or suggestions?  I would love any insight you would like to offer, so bring it on!

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