Rewards

I didn't really think it would come to this, but yesterday afternoon after about two weeks of sleepless nights and back-talk and power struggles I whipped out my sharpies, bought some stickers, and created a rewards chart for Anderson (who really seems to be getting a lot of attention these days, primarily because of his naughty behavior) in an effort to somehow take some control of the situation.

I tried to keep it simple, with only five categories, and I made the first reward totally attainable- 5 stickers and you get a Hot Wheel. And he LOVES it. Crossing fingers behind my back that it will last more than 2 days because anything that seems to work never seems to last more than 2 days!!! He could not wait to eat dinner and finish it all to get his first sticker and things have gone well ever since. I started with the eating dinner box because, well, he almost always eats his dinner and I wanted him to feel successful right away. Others are tougher- he has yet to earn a sticker for pooping on the potty or for sharing his toys all day long (though today he came close). The best part? He SLEPT ALL NIGHT last night. The first thing he said to me this morning was "Mommy, I get a sticker!).

As of tonight there were already 5 stickers up, but I told him the Hot Wheel depends on whether or not he makes it through the night without calling for me at 2 am. I have never been so excited for the possibility a trip to Target in all my life. Please, please let him sleep all night, Mommy is so very tired.