Driving tip that worked for us....

[dj2]

We usually eat healthier, which is why junk food on a vacation is a great motivator for my 3DD's.

The kids like to buy one or two snack items in the vending machines at the hotels en route.

One year we told them that we'd give them $$ for snacks as we started the trip. I bought little cute coin purses in the dollar store and put about $2 in coins of various amounts in each one.

Then I explained that if they misbehaved while we were driving, they would have to give us back some of the $---a nickel for something small, maybe a quarter if it was a big fight, etc.

well, they did not lose much money at all. I think everyone always had enough left for SOMETHING. They quieted down quickly as soon as we asked for money back, and the trip was relatively peaceful.

This worked best when the kids were ages (4, 7, 8) through (6, 9, 10). Younger than that and they wouldn't really understand. Older than that and they started behaving w/o needing incentives.

HTH,
-dj

p.s., we stay at hotels with continental breakfasts and when it was time to settle down for sleep we would let them know that anyone who kept talking would not be getting a doughnut in the morning. that always worked for my kids too. of course, they knew we meant it, which is important.

 

[Debi]

This is a great idea!! Thanks for the tip.

 

[toystoryduo]

This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

I do have a quick question if you don't mind: What are the ages of your DDs? My DDs are 3 and 5 and I wonder if this would work for them?

Thanks again!

 

[dj2]

I do have a quick question if you don't mind: What are the ages of your DDs?

The first time we tried this they were 4, 7, and 8 (almost 9).

(Now they're 9, 12 almost 13, and 14, and we don't need to play this game anymore.)

They were old enough to understand how things in vending machines cost different amounts, that that money is used to buy things, and that nicer things cost more. The 4YO was definitely helped along by having older sisters.

Previously we'd tried just tracking on paper, but I think the actual physical handing back of a coin when they misbehaved helped make it more real.

-dj

 

[HappyMommy2]

That is a really excellent idea! I will try it with my DSs who will be 6 and 4 on our upcoming long Christmastime road trip.

 

[Aliki]

Great tip-- thanks for sharing! Will have to remember this one for when we have kids..

 

[kmkja1]

We did something similar while at the parks. Each day the kids would get a few dollars for whatever they wanted but if they behaved badly we would take some of it back. We only had to take a few dollars away then just a hint that we were going to do it and any bad behavior stopped.

 

[ellyn2000]

I never thought of this when mine were younger (youngest is now 16) but I'm going to pass it along to my friend who is planning their first trip with 2 young ones. I think I'll put a change holder in the "goody baskets" I'm making for the kids. Thanks for the great tip!