Money, Money, Money

I always try to keep my ears open for various parenting techniques that will help us deal with our willful first born. Some time ago I had someone tell me that the trick is "finding her currency". In other words, I need to find out what she values most and use that in my disciplining style. For years now I've tested theory after theory to discover Lindy's "currency" with no success. We've tried toys, privileges, treats, etc. and if taken away we usually get a response similar to this: "I didn't really want to have that toy anyway." or "I wanted to have quiet time in my room anyway." Needless to say it hasn't really worked. She tends to make punishment of any kind fit into her well-calculated plans for the day.

Finally, at age 5, we may have stumbled across the answer. It seems her currency might actually be currency! Money! Can you believe it? She has recently expressed a rather desperate desire for a specific Fisher-Price camera that costs a whopping $70! She asked Ian & I if we had $70 and, to her profound dismay, we both responded with an emphatic "no"...after which we were treated to about a half hour of quiet weeping and sniffling. Ian and I discussed the situation and presented a plan: If she was extra helpful, listened well, and did odd-jobs around the house she might be able to "earn" enough money/allowance before our Disneyland trip in November to be able to buy the camera herself. Well...who knew the onslaught of helpfulness that would ensue? Yesterday morning as I was getting ready for the day she ran in to tell me that she had made her bed and Ellie's bed all by herself because she didn't want me to have to do it. The rest of the day was filled with similar "surprises" including a shoulder rub for mom. It seems we might actually have to follow through with this plan because she's taking it very seriously. We'll just have to see.