Patches and Pennies

First, my apologies.  I'm so far behind in the blogging world.  I want to write and catch up, but then life happens and it doesn't get done.  I have 4 posts started, but none I have completed (soon, I hope).

Summer started and is almost over.  I lose track of time, days and it appears even months.  I am convinced that summer (this one especially) is the time of year that reveals to me how much I stink at parenting.  My lack of consistency, my shouting  overzealous talking to the kids, my lack of time management and structured activities... whew it's just been own of those summers.  Let's add to the mix the battle my 5 year old gives me every.single.day. about patching and wearing her glasses.

Sharpie tie dye shirts... excellent craft project! 1.5 hours of no fighting!
Yes... I did the happy dance afterward. 

Patching Wars from a 5 year old look a little like this.  We can't patch in public. We can't patch when the speech therapist is there.  We can't patch when Nick's tutor is there.  We can't patch at church, the grocery store, when friends come over, when we go to friends.  Basically, we can't patch!

However, I try to remain consistent with patching (it's one of things I really strive for).  It may not always be 3 hours full hours, but I usually can get to 2 1/2 hours.  She hides her face. Tries to peel off a corner and continuously asks if she can take her patch off for the entire time.... AAAHHHHH!

And not only does she fight the patch, but it's the glasses as well.  She wears them like a champ the entire time she's patching. She can't see otherwise, but as soon as the patch is off, the glasses are too! I'm a broken record... 'Glasses belong on your face. Where are your glasses, Mallory?, We are not leaving the house until you find your glasses and put them on.'  Every day. All day.

So here's my grand idea (we started it today):

The Beginning...

She gets two bag of coins (10 in each)- one for patching and one for glasses.  We started with dimes and I'm hoping to work my way down to pennies (I'm going to go broke soon).   Each time she asks about her patch, she has to give me back a dime.  Each time I have to tell/ask about her glasses she has to give me a dime.  Any money she has left at the end of the day is hers to keep.  Each day, we'll start with a new bag of coins. My hope is she feels she has control over her patch and glasses and can see she is earning something as well.  I mean, honestly, I go to work everyday because I'm pretty certain I'll get a paycheck at the end of the week :) I'll keep you posted on our progress.