Far to often in my house I ask one of the kids to do something simple (pick up your dirty socks, replace the toilet paper when you use the last of it, shut the back door, do your homework) and get a whiny voiced response that makes me want to pull my hair out!
This would be bad enough if just one of the kids did it- but times that by four, plus a teenager and a one year old and if it continues I am going to have no hair left! My kids don’t always do what they are asked and hate helping out. I felt like I had tried everything when I stumbled upon a post by Red Sox Mom about how Fuzzy Balls had worked for her.
First I of course laughed my butt off. Fuzzy Balls as a reward? Bahahahahaha! Then I thought long and hard about the motivation behind Fuzzy Balls and just knew it would work for our kids! I talked to my husband about it and headed to the craft store.
I found glass jars like the Red Sox Mom used- but they were 2.99 each and made of glass. I knew the containers would be a high traffic area for my kids so glass was not a good idea and I really didn’t want to pay that much for a jar. So I kept looking. I found the perfect container. A small plastic bucket, with handle and lid- filled with chalk for only 1.00!
I bought four containers of chalk, foam sticker letters and pom poms. (When did pom poms get so expensive? They were 6.99 per bag!) I put all the chalk into a big outside toy bin and washed the containers out. Then I dried them, set them on the table and called the kids to help!
Each kid sorted through the foam letters to make their name.
Then I helped them stick them on their containers.
The Fuzzy Ball Reward System is super easy to use. There are two simple rules for the parent.
1) Stick with it no matter what. Even when you are out and about!
2) Everything your child does or doesn’t do is tied to Fuzzy Balls.
We used pom poms because my kids loved the idea of calling them “Fuzzy Balls” but you could use anything. Beads, hard candy, jelly beans, Hershey kisses. Heck you could even use rocks and a bowl if you didn’t want to spend any money!
Everything my kids do earns them a Fuzzy Ball. If it is a task they have an extremely hard time doing they get multiple balls.
-Accept the answer no=1 Fuzzy Ball
-Doing what they are asked the first time=1 Fuzzy Ball
-Use your manners=1 Fuzzy Ball
-Share with out being asked=1 Fuzzy Ball
-Buckle your seat belt when we get in the car with out being asked=1 Fuzzy Ball
-Eat all your dinner=1 Fuzzy Ball
-Finish all your homework before dinner=1 Fuzzy Ball
-Set the table=2 Fuzzy Balls
-Go to bed with out a fight=2 Fuzzy Balls
-Help put away laundry=2 Fuzzy Balls
-Take out the trash=3 Fuzzy Balls
-Behave the entire time we are out=5 Fuzzy Balls
Same goes for negative behaviors- but they lose a ball, or two for those.
-Talk back=-1 Fuzzy Ball
-Whine=-1 Fuzzy Ball
-Lie about something=-1 Fuzzy Ball
-Fight over a toy=-1 Fuzzy Ball
-Be mean to the cats=-1 Fuzzy Ball
-Get a bad note from a teacher=-3 Fuzzy Balls
-Hit a brother or sister=-3 Fuzzy Balls
-Temper tantrum=-10 Fuzzy Balls
Once they have a good amount of Fuzzy Balls in their jar they can redeem them for something awesome. We went to Walmart and got a few odds and ends that they can trade in Fuzzy Balls for as well as have a few special treats they know they can trade Fuzzy Balls for.
Rewards include:
-Watch TV or Play DS= 1 Fuzzy Ball for 5 minutes (max 1 hour)
-Ring Pop=5 Fuzzy Balls
-Desert=5 Fuzzy Balls
-Go to the store with just mom or dad=5 Fuzzy Balls
-Matchbox Car=10 Fuzzy Balls
-Stay up later than brothers/sister=15 Fuzzy Balls
-Any toy from 5Below=30 Fuzzy Balls
This system makes a direct connection for my kids between positive behavior and the things they want. In just three short weeks I have seen a turn around. When I ask them to do something, I am immediately greeted with an “OK Mom” and they do it. Sometimes I look at them and wonder where my kids went- and then I remember the power of Fuzzy Balls!
If you are looking for a new reward system to try- or you just need a way to keep your kids motivated I strongly suggest trying the Fuzzy Ball reward system out. I guarantee you that if you stick to it- you won’t be disappointed!
Wow, that is a great idea! I bet even Katie is old enough now to catch on to this idea, I may be trying this soon! 🙂
This is a great idea/system.
I love this idea and I am going to purchase the things needed for my daughter’s four children. I am hoping this will help her get them to help out! I have to say though, I think ‘accepting the answer no’ should get more fuzzy balls! That’s a hard thing to do!
It did originally. But Ethan caught on and started asking me questions he knew I would say no to! lol
That is such a great idea. I need to try this with my kids. Thanks for sharing!
What an awesome behavior system idea! I’m going to consider doing this with my own 3 kids since I hear that annoying whiny voice WAY too often!
Oh I wish I had this when my kids were younger. I love this system. It makes is very real to the kids. I am going to print this out for my sister who has young kids. She is going to love this. Thanks for the post. 🙂
I like this! I think I will try it with my twin 5 year old girls. They like to collect things, so this might just get them excited enough to listen. :0)
Love this! How big are those containers about?