Works For Me Wednesday – the Yelling Jar

My family has recently become yellers. Some may say they always hear me yelling, but I would argue that it was rare that I really yelled. This summer of rain really changed all that. I will blame it on the rain (ok, now music is running through my head – LOL) but my 10 yr old son and 5 yr old daughter definately ramped up their fighting and disobedience this summer as well.

They now yell at us as well. That was always a punishable offense, but frankly my son loves being in his room (he is a voracious reader) so that punishment has wore thin. I needed to find another way to STOP us ALL from yelling. My poor 1 year old must think that is status quo – hearing me in utero as well as during her first months!!

So came THE YELLING JAR. Everyone has their own color marble (where I got these is a whole other adventure – you would think it would be easy). When someone yells, they put their color in the YELLING JAR. At the end of the week, or I think we are doing 2 weeks now, the person with the least marbles in the jar gets to pick a family activity that we all must do. I use the example that if my 5 yr old daughter wants us to watch fairie movies all wearing tutu’s, we will. Of course she has no chance of winning in the near future – LOL!!

• No child can tattle on another or put another persons marble in the jar.
• It is up to the person to fess up to their yell and do it themselves. So, whoever yells puts their own marble in the jar.
• Only parents can require someone to put a marble in the jar and children cannot be disrespectful when suggesting that a parent may need to put a marble in.

I also covered the jar with pictures so there would not be constant counting status until the end of the time period!