An Ode to Sticker Charts and Temporary Tattoos

I'm always a little leery at the end of the summer, when Scottie heads back to school. We all love our summers, and Eli gets used to getting a lot of attention. The first few days this school year were rough as I expected, but then I made an important rediscovery -- sticker charts! We've used sticker charts off and on for at least a year. We were giving Eli stickers for falling asleep by himself and taking naps, with a few thrown in for good behavior. I decided to shower him with stickers and see how it worked. It's magical! I'm now giving him stickers for following directions the first time, not complaining, being helpful, cleaning up, sharing with his sister, playing by himself, not coming out of his room during quiet time, not making noise or interrupting me when I'm putting Keira down, and generally good behavior. It's working like a charm. We've had generally wonderful days and it helps to keep me focused on the positive. I find that I'm fussing at him a lot less and we are both in much better moods. For complete sticker charts he can choose what to earn. In the past he's earned water tower drives now we've expanded his repertoire to temporary tattoos, balloons and some extra video time. Here are a few pictures of him with his temporary tattoos. He was never interested in them before, he told me he thought they hurt. Now that he's discovered they don't they are another favorite incentive.



After I took these pictures and looked at them to make sure they came out, I couldn't believe how big he looks! I almost didn't recognize him, crazy...