Saturday, January 26, 2013

Think About It

One of our favorite ways to correct the children is to give them a Think About It.  They work like this.  The kid is given a theme, a favorite one is "being respectful" and a number of lines, usually starting at 3 and sometimes going up to 20 for major infractions.  Then they have to find paper and something to write with.

They don't have to do them right away, or at all really.  But they can't watch TV, play video games, use the computer or any other electronic device until they're Think About It is done.  In practice, most Think About It's are finished in about 2-3 minutes after they're doled out.

Think About Its are wonderful corrections.  The kids are quiet, they have to stop what they're doing, pause, reflect and work.  They're a great way to snap Tate out of a crazy spell.  They're also a great way to end Harper's ongoing audition for the next Disney Channel Teen Brat Antagonist.  In fact, they're so good, they can flip Harper into an audition for Disney Channel Teen Angel.  Here's her latest effort:


Think About It
By: Harper

Around lunchtime this afternoon, Mom had prepared a pizza.  It was a Home Run Inn brand pizza, and those are not my favorites.  So, I unnecessarily stomped my foot and demanded a different lunch.  Mom gave me several options, but I refused all of them.  This behavior was inappropriate and disrespectful.  Instead, I should have listened and calmly chose one of the other food choices.  Again, I didn’t do so and chose to argue.  Dad told me to stop and eat, but I yelled and cried again.  All of my decisions were poor and in response to wanting, needing, to be right.  I have a tendency to argue in order to be proclaimed victor.  Being correct should not be important, but respect should.  

3 comments:

Sharon said...

Wow-so well written, Harper!

Julie Cooper said...

I love this! Such a great way for kids to reflect on their wrongdoings.

Harper said...

thanks, dad.