A Summertime Plan

by | Jul 8, 2008 | Organization, Summer | 20 comments

After coming home from a 3 week vacation, and diving right into 2 weeks of swimming lessons, our summer got off to a rather crazy start.

Now that we can settle into a more normal routine, it is high time for me to get organized and motivated. And not only me… MY KIDS NEED MOTIVATION TOO! I am so tired of them asking to “watch a movie,” or hearing that they are “bored.”

Inspired by my cousin Margaret, I decided to implement a summertime plan called “The Ticket to Summer!

All summer long the children can earn tickets for doing any of the items on the list that I have given them. These items are all things I would like them to do this summer, but which they are not always motivated to do on their own.

Basically, you can earn one ticket by:

  • Getting up and dressed for morning prayers by 7:30 am (Mon-Fri) without being woken by mom or dad.
  • Doing all the chores on your chart by 9:00 am(Mon-Sat)
  • Read a book for 30 minutes
  • Practice on the Piano for 30 minutes
  • Write a 10 line letter to a friend or family member
  • Play nicely with the baby for 30 minutes
  • Read to the girls for 20 minutes
  • Do 2 pages in Handwriting workbook
  • Do 2 Math worksheets
  • Do 1 lesson of geography
  • Spend time exploring outside and then add a page to your nature journal
  • Do an extra job for Mom

You can earn two tickets if you:

  • Memorize one poem or song
  • Memorize a new prayer or bible verse
  • Memorize 25 States and Capitals
  • Ask for, and receive training on, a new chore from mom
  • Fix a meal (with the approval of mom)

The children can redeem their tickets for a number of different things:

  • 20 minute turn on an Educational Computer Game – 2 Tickets
  • 20 minutes on EWTN Kids – 2 Tickets
  • Stay up for an extra 30 minutes – 2 Tickets
  • Watch a video/movie for 30 minutes – 2 Tickets
  • Go to the Library for Story time (July only) – 4 Tickets
  • Go to the local Bookstore and choose a new book – 6 Tickets
  • Go to the Kid Zone – 10 Tickets
  • Go out for Ice Cream – 10 Tickets
  • $5.00 to do something fun (lunch, ice skating, bowling) – 15 Tickets


I also love my cousins idea of having a biweekly
Good Behavior Drawing.”

In addition to the above, the children can also earn tickets for good behavior that go into a jar. Twice a week, I will draw a ticket from the jar for a prize. They can not ask for these tickets, but, if I catch them being exceptionally good, I will give them a ticket. The better they are the more chances they will have of winning a prize. They can choose there prize themselves, from the prize basket. The prizes include a $5.00 gift card to Target, a couple Activity Books, some art supplies, water balloons and a few toys.

So far, this morning, it is off to a WONDERFUL start! The children are dressed, chores are done, and the boys have both been reading for the past 30 minutes. Hopefully, this enthusiasm will stick!

20 Comments

  1. Shelly

    Thank you Jessica! this is an awesome and amazing [tangible] idea! and thanks to your dear cousin :o)

    Reply
  2. Aubrey

    This is brilliant! Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Christine

    Great idea, Jessica. If it works then keep doing what works!

    Only 2 mo. left of summer. Not long enough for me. I want 5…or maybe 10!!!???!!!

    Reply
  4. Christine

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  5. Jamie Jo

    This is so cool!!!! Wow!! I just made job charts today. I love the positive reward thing, I’m going to HAVE to show my hubby this!!!

    Where did you get the tickets?

    Reply
  6. Jessica Gordon

    So far so good! The kids are LOVING this! However, I am having to share the computer since EWTN kids is their favorite reward, at this point, and they are cashing in their tickets as fast as they can earn them! 🙂

    Jamie ~ I picked up the roll of tickets last night at WalMart. It was only a few dollars.

    Reply
  7. Allison

    No that’s excellent and creative parenting!

    Reply
  8. Anonymous

    That’s such a great idea! We’re quite bored ourselves. And the children have watched far too much television.

    Reply
  9. Christie@tisbutaseason

    I am inspired! We have spent the majority of our time at the pool (our community has one that our HOA pays for). It’s been too bloomin’ hot to go to the playground!

    I am pulling out the tickets today! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Mrs. L

    I love this idea, thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
  11. Margaret

    I’m glad my idea helped you. I’m still working out a few little kinks with mine. Some things are too many tickets. Some things are not enough. But, all in all it’s helping me too!

    Reply
  12. Jessica Gordon

    Oh! It is helping a ton, and my children are LOVING it!! I agree though, there are a few things that I need to fine tune as well. But, for the most part, it is going great! Thanks again!

    Reply
  13. Anonymous

    😀 I ‘bumped into’ your blog a few weeks ago and I must say I love it! Thank you for sharing such nice things with the rest of the world. I’d just love to give you a little present: http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/albares/Bruselasetc241.jpg

    Lots of love and God bless!

    María

    PS – I wish one day I´ll have a family like yours, it´s lovely! Keep on the good work!

    Reply
  14. Jessica Gordon

    Maria~ Thank you very much for the beautiful picture! I love it! God Bless, Jessica

    Reply
  15. Anonymous

    This is a very good idea. Thank you! God bless you.

    Reply
  16. Anonymous

    What a great post! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  17. Anonymous

    LOVE it! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  18. Heather

    That’s a fabulous idea!! Love it!

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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