Don't Get Me Started - Part Two -- GIVE THEM A FRICKIN' POPSICLE PARTY!

So about a month and a half ago, my son's kindergarten teacher announced that the class would get a popsicle party when they filled up a jar with popcorn kernels. The kernels would be added to the jar in various arbitrary denominations when the class did something good and kernels would be deducted in various arbitrary denominations when either the whole class or even one child did something that the teacher did not want them to do. (This is the same teacher who gave the ENTIRE class a 5-minute time out because 2 kids didn't sit down on the carpet when she ordered them too -- I WITNESSED THIS SO I KNOW -- they're 5 and 6 years old! and were actually heading to their spots and oh no.... chatting with each other)

So it's over a month and they still have not been deserving of a frickin' popsicle party. Hopefully, the kids don't even care anymore. When I heard about this ridiculous reward system, that afternoon I took my son to buy some organic popsicles and told him he could have a popsicle everyday anytime he wanted one. That there are other more important reasons for doing good things and following instructions --
(read my YELLOW SLIPS SUCK! post to come in the near future)

For example, I don't believe in eating a certain amount of bites of food at dinner in order to get dessert. Eat as much dinner as your body wants. (If we all stopped eating when our body got what it needed, no one would have a weight problem) And so I give my son dessert BEFORE dinner -- most of the time he doesn't even want it. I trust that his body knows what it needs. If I begin to DICTATE how much he should eat, then his body will lose its ability to completely self-regulate. And his body knows what it needs... the secret is staying in touch and being connected with that knowingness. Sorry I digress.

So, Mrs. Kindergarten teacher (name changed) ..... think about these kids. Would you like to build their self-esteem and make them feel good.... even great about themselves? Then let them win once in a while. Give them a popsicle party once a WEEK or for no reason at all. Be a little bit fun for a change. Oooooo, don't get me started.......!!!!!!!!!!!

One more tidbit.... something huge I've learned from being a parent... IT'S JUST AS EASY TO SAY YES AS IT IS TO SAY NO, (I think we're programmed to say no to exert control) SO BEFORE I SAY NO.... I STOP AND ASK MYSELF.. IS THERE A REALLY GOOD REASON NOT TO SAY YES? AND IF I CAN'T THINK OF ONE.... I CHOOSE YES... more and more and more.

Until next time faithful readers. And please please post comments. Thank you so much.