We’ll be honest, Cute Potato #1 and #2 could use help in the manners department. They know how to say please and thank you, but don’t use these pleasantries as often as their parents would like. And while we’re on the subject, it would be nice if they showed a little more enthusiasm when it’s time to clean up. Just when our patience was beginning to wane, we discovered a great idea from Emilie Manhart’s One Mom in Maine blog.
Emilie purchased wooden boxes at the Bangor A.C. Moore, along with wooden hearts, to create a Good Behavior box. The idea? Whenever one of her children does something nice or noteworthy, a heart token goes in the box. Once a child collects 12 tokens, she’s treated to something special: a day out with Mom, an ice cream or a small toy.
The Good Behavior Box unfinished
We loved this idea and decided to make it a craft project. The team traveled to A.C. Moore in South Portland and found heart tokens, boxes and some wooden letters. The kids glued their letters on to the box lids and used acrylic paints to decorate them.
Heart tokens from A.C. Moore
The team enjoyed creating their Good Behavior boxes, and spent an hour painting quietly. CP #1, who is four, couldn’t wait to earn some hearts. She said “please” and “thank you” throughout dinner, and even offered to help Mom Potato clean up. Wow. Cute Potato #2, who will be three soon, was slower to catch on. Although this morning, he placed the pots he was using for drums back in the cabinet with little prompting. Double wow.
CP #1 at work
Orphaned container lids make great painter's palettes
CP# 2's finished work
Here’s hoping the good behavior continues! In the mean time, many thanks to Emilie… she’s our hero.