EXCELLENT RUM THAT'S what I'm talkin about..lol

Another thing that works like a charm is if your kids want to go somewhere and they have things to do that day or say you are going to do something that evening and they come in ready to go and go Mom why aren't you ready? Um because your things, chores didnt get done and that was the deal...that will happen once!..lol

Another useful tool I used with my teens was the "travel voucher". Because of where we lived I ended up doing a lot of chauffeuring them around. I told them that I would drive them any time for school or scheduled activities like dance or band practice but I felt that it was only fair that, if I helped them out by driving them to their friends houses or to the movies, that they should try and help me out. So we figured out that most trips were about 20 - 30 mins long. So the idea was that, any time they felt like doing some extra housework or yard work for 20-30 mins that wasn't on their regular chore list, they could earn "travel vouchers". They could save them up and redeem them any time they wanted a ride somewhere. As I said, this didn't include regular school activities etc. - I drove them anyway - this was for the endless extras. The one exception to the rule, as they got older, was that if they were out late and people were drinking, they could call me for a safe ride home any time and travel vouchers were not needed.

I do remember one time when my daughter had a couple of girlfriends visiting. They wanted a ride home and my daughter told them they couldn't ask me for a ride because she didn't have any travel vouchers!!! They were astonished and not very happy but, within a few minutes, all three of them were busy vacuuming and mopping floors to earn a voucher so I would drive them home!!

I was a busy working mother and had a strong belief (and still do) that today's culture of "entitlement" begins with parents doing everything for their children. I felt that there were some obligations I had as a parent such as safe rides at night and getting them to school activities etc. but all the recreational stuff could be earned. I also wanted to encourage a recognition that my time was also important and that every half an hour I had to spend driving them around was half an hour when I couldn't do other things like cleaning the house.

can only tell you one thing for sure:

in the battle between a Roomba and American Eskimo Dogs

Sooner or later, the dogs ALWAYS win!

That's EXCELLENT Wendy! love that idea

I agree I LOVE my kids but kids today are WAY too spoiled and have that feeling of entitlement.

Bill and I have dealt with alot of kids over the years and their parents who basically gave up and said I cant make them do anything and that just astounds me..we have told many a parents and children that your parents legally have to provide you a weeks worth of clothes, a bed, and thats about it.

Something really bad these days are kids and their cell phones I think that has been one of the biggest detraments to our kids, we have had parents say they wont let me have it.....REALLY? TURN IT OFF!!! that simple if it's not on the thrill is gone.

One teen kept locking the door on their parents and we said take the door off, it took 1 time..it amazes me at how many kids run the households instead of the parents..really sad!

I know I am getting off topic but these examples could be used for bossy non-productive husbands also..lol right?

lol..Elvis thinks that too where people food comes in he can stare you down like the best of them..lol he is a stalker, his stare makes it where you can't watch tv, you cant eat you finally say you want to go to puppy jail and he takes off..lol

I know, right?

It is not easy. Thanks for bringing up this issue. Lots of helpful ideas have been generated!

My little chihuahua sheds so much I can't believe it. I wonder if I got a roomba if she would ride it, like a video I saw on youtube!

Wendy, I like the clutter box and travel voucher ideas. Since I'm really short on cash, I also accept money for non-essential rides. But for those short on cash, working for a voucher is a great idea!

My girls are at the age(15 & 17) when they want to go places or on dates. Our rule is that they have to have their chores done. If not, they don't go. It only takes one time of calling a friend or date and saying "I can't go", to teach them to get their chores done.

We live 21/2 miles from town, so they need rides to go anywhere.

As far as cell phones go, they don't have one. We do have a Track Phone that I will send with them so that they can call home, or we can call them, but they have to give it back. I check how many minutes are on it or if they did any texting, if they do, they lose privileges.

I like that I am always getting complements about what well behaved, polite young ladies they have become.

Hi Wendy - I like the clutter box, especially interested in the paying aspect. My husband will quickly go broke lol, but seems like a could be a good deterant for leaving stuff all around, which we totally need.

I'm going to read through all the posts on this thread, but in the meantime, does anybody have tips on managing mail and school papers for primary school kids? I feel like they each come home with like 50 pages a week and out of that like 5 are something I actually need to see.

Many thanks, Jessica