Camp Mama 2011 Week Two: The Program

As of two weeks ago, my plan for keeping Jude entertained over summer was: Wing it.

I'm afraid that this has proven to be a poor plan.

Jude, ever the rule follower, understood and begrudgingly accepted my rule that he could only have 2 hours of electronics time a day. Every morning, he got up about 7:00, ran into the living room, and played the stupid Wii for exactly 2 hours. He would then dutifully turn the machine off, turn to me and say..."I'm bored."

Sigh.

"When are we going to DOOOOOO something? This summer is boooooring."

"Why don't you read a book?"

"I don't want to read a book."

"Why don't you write a letter to Grandma?"

"I don't want to write a letter to Grandma."

"Why don't you go outside and play?"

"I don't want to go outside and play."

"Why don't you just sit there like a little pain in the ass brat, and drive your mother out of her mind?"

No, I didn't really say that.

And then Sarah at The Mommylogues came to my rescue by suggesting that I try out an idea that Hot Fudge Oracle wrote about in a Works For Me Wednesday - Electronic Games Tokens. 

If you check out the link, you'll find what I consider a brilliant but EXTREMELY complicated plan, involving color coding and many, many rules. In fact, the first time I looked at it, my brain kind of imploded, and I threw up my hands. Then, after another week of "I'm bored!" I wrote Sarah back and begged her to send me that link again.

I have tweaked it, and simplified it, and made it pertinent to my kid. The result I am calling...

The Program

From now on, Jude no longer gets any time enjoying electronics for free. He must earn it. To keep track of this, I am using tokens (I'm actually using checkers, Sarah is using poker chips). Electronic time is earned in 15 minute increments, each token representing 15 minutes. Tokens are earned by completing equal amounts of time involved in approved activities.

I DO NOT round the amount of time up. In other words, if he completes 24 minutes of reading, he gets one 15 minute token. If he completes 35 minutes, he earns two.

Approved activities are as follows:

Reading -

• Books
• Boy's Life Magazine

Writing -

• Letters (Mommy LOVES this.)
• Thank you notes (we're still working on the Birthday and First Communion notes)
• Journal (he can earn a Cub Scout belt loop if he keeps one)
• Summer Bridge Activities Book (I'm determined that the kid doesn't unlearn everything he learned in Second Grade.

Activities -

• Playing outside - biking, scooting, trampoline jumping, whatever.
• Working on a Cub Scout belt loop.
• Building Legos.
• Drawing/crafting (Yeah, right. The kid is the least crafty child I've ever known.)
• Working on Summer Reading projects (his Third Grade teacher has assigned two projects, due the first week of school).
• Helping me do stuff. Such as cleaning the porch, watering plants, cleaning out the "pool".

So far? It's working well. He's been reading like crazy, and has finished all his birthday thank you notes (I, of course, still haven't MAILED them, but...one step at a time). He's also been spending a lot of time playing in the backyard. He seems to have developed one of those peculiar only child games like I used to make up when I was a little only child, which involves the trampoline and two lightsabers and much talking to himself. But he seems to enjoy it.

I encourage you to get with The Program. I'm sorry, I just had to say that because it was so stupid.

Good luck with summer, y'all.

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Well -- you know I have three children and the two boys have already started to drive me nuts and we're only on the THIRD day of summer break. Although I haven't heard the boring refrain yet, I do hear the bickering and the sight of them on their various electronics makes my stomach turn. I know it's me -- my problem -- but I might have to get with The Program.

[Aimee]

I think it's brilliant. I'm keeping it in mind for if/when the "I don't know what to do"s start.

For now, though, they are shockingly eager to please, even going so far as to happily embrace learning all about the FlyLady method of keeping one's house clean. I'm impressed, and crossing my fingers that it lasts awhile...

[Sarah at themommylogues]

We're starting Monday. I can't decide if I should include weekends or not. Meanwhile, Natalie (6) has TWO birthday parties this weekend, not counting her own sister's which she will miss. We are hosting 10 post-second graders for a Y pool party. Even before we ok'd it, we announced it would be the last big party ever. Which makes it the only big party.

Which brings me to: When did goody bags get to be such a thing? I remember getting the OCCASIONAL goody bag at a party. Now no one comes home without one. Long ago, it was a few stickers, a dum dum sucker and a stick of gum. Now it looks like they've cleaned out the Chuck E Cheese treasure trove. What the stink?

[unmitigated me]

I am convinced that kidsneed to learn to entertain themselves. I kept a chore list on the fridge, and that was my answer to, "I'm bored."

[Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings]

It all sounds so stressful and complicated. Is your backyard enclosed? Just push him out and lock the back door. It's what I do. :-)