We keep two jars in our kids' room. They're mason jars, half full of colorful wool felt balls. Whenever someone hits, yells, or does something typically naughty, we take out a pom pom. Whenever someone does something extra kind or helpful or asks for extra jobs (and we remember to), we add a pom pom. This has created an ebb and flow of pom poms in the jars. Honestly, we thought the jars would fill up a month ago. But alas, sneaky punches and tearful, exasperating breakdowns hold us back. Keenan even created a Pinterest board called Pom Pom Toy Shop, where the boys can pick one thing once they've filled their jar. A seaworthy Octonaut ship, blocks with gears, a Millenial Falcon. But still, no pom poms redeemed or jars emptied.
The jars are half full. Every day they go a little up or a little down, but we're pushing hard pre-Christmas break to get those freaking pom pom jars filled to the brim. The boys need to see a positive result faster and we need to see that they can pause fighting long enough to redeem their tiny wool balls.
