Monday, April 26, 2010

Bribery Works!

I'm bribing my 4 yr old. It's working great! I love it! That's how I potty trained her too, she has a price. She can be bought! Whenever I hear that "He can be bought!" phrase, I hear it in Robin Williams voice as the Genie in Disney's Aladdin movie. And now you know what the voices in my head sound like.

Anyway, Gracie has been getting in my bed in the middle of the night and then I'm squished and sweating between two little girls and a dog and a pile of unnecessary blankets. The hubby usually looks pretty comfy clinging the edge of his side of the bed, but this is just too much for me! The dog will usually figure out that she doesn't have enough room to sprawl out, so she'll go get in Libby's toddler bed which is just the right size.

Bribery is giving me a bit of breathing room lately. I told Gracie if she will stay in her own bed in her own room all night long and sleep all night until morning, I'll take her to the park. It's working! She loves going to the park. What 4 year old wouldn't fall for that? And, she just figured out how to pedal her tricycle, so we have been taking that with us to the parks and she's putting on some miles, then playing on the playground equipment too. This is wearing her out every day, helping with the sleep issue and earning the reward.

And, it's been fun! Tomorrow I'm taking the little girls to the zoo. If she doesn't stay in her own bed, I'll tell her that her little sis did! Aren't I devious?



4 comments:

Julie H said...

What a great idea!! It's a win win with them getting tired out at the park!

Wolfpak5 said...

I've used bribery back in the day too. I think all mothers have. Will be seeing my "babies" in July. Just confirmed the dates with Robert. Looking forward to it. Unfortunately won't be visiting my sis though.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

I would classify this as "incentive" rather than "bribery." It's an important distinction!

Michelle said...

I don't call that bribery - in my world, it's "earning privileges." Slight difference but oh so key ;)

Then again, my 4 year old was kept out of swimming lessons and has no animals in her room because of her refusal to earn privileges...