Less TV.

We have never really been fans of letting the kids sit

around and just watch tv or play on tablets. (What we do after they go to bed is a completely different story. I happen to love TV.)

Anyway, one day I thought "I wish I could make them pay to watch tv (or use iPads)." And then I had a genius idea.

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I COULD MAKE MY KIDS PAY FOR TV!

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I wouldn't make them pay money of course. I mean, who does that?! But, seriously, they could earn and pay for tv time. We use old poker chips, but you could use counting cubes, blocks, or whatever works in your family. Just be sure that you pick something that they can't easily sneak and add more (like pennies.) Here's how it goes:

• The kids can earn "tv tokens" which they keep in a small mason jar. This is their "bank."

• These are earned for doing a chore above and beyond the expected chores, picking up after themselves with out being told, being really nice to a sibling, or anything else we deem worthy.

• They can also lose tokens for not listening or following directions, being rude, etc.

• Each token is worth one tv show or about 30 minutes iPad time. (So you need 3 tv tokens to watch a full length movie.)

• They must pay for your time BEFORE it begins.

Here's the most genius part - when they run out of tokens, they will come ask you what they can do to earn more. They are literally asking to do more chores. And anytime you need a break, you can always call "free tv time." They love it. Sometimes we even have free tv days on snow days, birthdays, sick days, or maybe just for family movie night.

The other thing I love about this system is that it teaches them about earning, saving, and spending. They are learning that work leads to reward. And that if you want something big, you are going to have to save for it. It also teaches them about making intentional decisions. They can't just sit and watch endless amounts of tv anymore. As soon as the show goes off, they know they have to turn it off or pay for another one. There is no mindless watching now. This system is probably my favorite of all of our parenting hacks.

Let me know if you try it and how it works for you! Did you make any tweaks? How is it going?