I've decided to start a little "positive
reinforcement" jar for our five year old, Henry. It's a little cup that sits on the bookshelf and
whenever he's doing something good, like sitting quietly reading or
drawing or just in general being a good boy I'll say, "Henry, you are
being so great! You get a coin in the jar!" And he get's all excited
and jumps around. I just got so sick of always reprimanding him I'd
thought I'd start a reverse tactic and reward him for positive behavior
in hopes that he'll strive to be good instead of just trying not to be bad. Anyway, I told him that
when the jar is full he can pick a toy car out of the rack at Rite Aid, his favorite.
So
this afternoon after I get him from school we are sitting at the table
eating lunch just chatting. In the middle of it he reaches over, kisses
me and says, "I love you, mommy." I was totally taken back and said,
"Wow, thank you Henry, what was that for?" and he says, "You're just
being so great right now. Thank you. I'm sorry I do bad things
sometimes, I promise I won't do them anymore." I'm just sitting there,
mouth agape, and he goes back to eating his lunch, no big whoop. Then, as he's taking a bite of his sandwich, he casually
points over his shoulder to the jar that is on the shelf behind him and
says, "Coin, please" without even looking up. He
totally suckered me but I had to give the kid a coin for the effort.
It completely cracked me up, he is either a super smooth talker or gigantic manipulator. Either way, he's one amazing kid.
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