One Solution for Sibling Rivalry

If you have multiple children, you can probably sympathize with my plight.

My boys are CONSTANTLY bickering/picking at one another.  They "talk trash" when playing sports, video games, even monopoly.  There is SO much competition in my home!

We have been trying to really instill respect and kindness in them......especially toward one another.  I feel like all I do is get on them for saying something unkind!

I had an idea the other day and decided to try to recognize when they ARE kind instead of always when they are not.  I told them I was starting a kindness jar.  Every time I hear them say or do something nice for someone, especially their brothers, I will write their name down on a piece of paper and put it in the jar.  Every week or two we will draw a name out and that person will get to pick a "reward" from a list I have made.  The more often they are kind, the more chances they have of getting their name in the jar and getting it pulled out for the reward.

My list of rewards includes: picking out a redbox movie, renting a WII game, going for an ice cream cone, picking out a Slushie at Speedway after school, picking the restaurant we eat at after church on Sunday, having a friend over to play, extra time on the trampoline, playing a game with Mommy or Daddy and more.

Here is a picture of my supplies:

Here is a picture of the finished product:

TOTALLY nothing fancy!  A mason jar or recycled plastic jar (think peanut butter) with a lid would work fine!  I purchased the labels (that are sticky) in the Martha Stewart craft section at Michael's along with the jar and ribbon.  The whole project cost about $9.

The boys have already been motivated by it and I am trying to do a better job of pointing out when I see/hear them being kind and make a big deal out of it!