I am feeling a desire to write, yet am not certain about a topic. I could write about a recent birth, broadcast (and excessively commented on) live on the internet. Or write about the way our family is choosing to protect ourselves this flu season (simplified version: garlic and hand sanitizer). But I don't feel like being opinionated today, the mood I feel is too laid back for drama. I took North and Sky to Cafe Mokka today for hot chocolate. North took one sip of his chocolate and then was done with his drink. The drink was VERY rich, so I understood why it was too much for his taste buds. Afterwards, we walked around the frog pond in the rainy drizzle. It was very nice.

The boys and I have been doing a lot of hanging out around the house lately. North had a friend over yesterday to play. As I watched and interacted at the appropriate moments, I realized that North needs help sharing. What two-year old doesn't? But the way in which North says "Mine!" is rather annoying, so the next time a friend comes over to play, I will have that family bring over a couple of toys of their own so we can work on negotiating skills and using appropriate language together.

I am working on a rewards chart to use with North. He really enjoys stickers and so I will use stickers help him visualize a system of rewards. My thinking is this: Reed and I are using discipline and harsher voice tones more often with North as his expressive language and mental capacities are creating more instances of defiance and impulsive behavior. I use "the red chair" (stern voice over) as a time out/ change the energy discipline object. For us the discipline is not the act of sitting in the chair, but instead the talking over the problem afterward. Some days, depending on my levels of patience (and willingness to predict a behavior before a problem occurs!) North visits that red chair more often then I feel is helpful for the both of us.

Therefore, I want to also reward him for the good behavior within our day. He needs to understand that I value his role within this family; all behaviors included. The rewards for good behavior will not be linked to a punishment(i.e. coercion or bribery), but hopefully will build North's character at the same time as he is developing the emotional maturity to understand the logic of his decisions.

I am think I will start off by writing/drawing a picture of three chores: setting the table, sweeping the floor, and picking up toys. All three North does well, but are not yet a mandatory part of the day. Therefore, North can choose whether or not he wants to earn a sticker on his chart for completing the task. Once 4 stickers are on the chart he gets his reward.

I am stuck on the reward part though. I don't want to use sugar food as I don't feel it is a life lesson I want to reinforce with my kids, yet I don't want to use dollar store junk either. I need something immediate and gratifying. North would be happy with just his stickers, but I like the idea of him learning how to work towards a goal. So I am stuck until a brainstorm revels an answer.

Sky continues to do well. The teeth are still giving him some discomfort, but just being close to the breast and having chewies available seem to be helping. North has begun singing songs, so I will often ask him to sing to his brother as Sky loves anything that North does. I am thinking of getting a Bumpo seat to use in the bathtub. I have put Sky in the tub with North a few times and they both enjoy the experience. Sky loves to float on his back, but after a while my back hurts! I think he will enjoy sitting in the tub with his brother. I am thinking that if I keep the water level low and hover VERY CLOSE, IF NOT ACTUALLY BEING IN THE TUB MYSELF, the idea with the chair might actually work.