A New From of Discipline

Have YOU seen THESE?

These things are called Silly Bands.  They are little plastic bracelets in various shapes; zoo animals, rock band, dinosaurs, etc.  Lots of different shapes and lots of different colors, so attractive to little eyes.  Not very attractive to mommy's eyes.  At $5.99 for 24 for of them, they get not much more than an eye roll from me. 

BUT, the boys are fascinated with them and I am using it to my advantage.  Notice how my son poses when I tell him I want to take a picture of the bands.  Are those the CUTEST guns you've ever seen? 

 So here we are at dinner, with the new bands and after a very busy day of packing, the boys are acting up just a bit.  I'm tired! I'm tired of packing and I'm tired of asking the boys to stop goofing off and nagging them.  

Then it hits me.  I tell them that every time I have to nag re-ask them to do something, I will take one of their new bands.  Instant silence. 

I think I've got 'em.

I tell them they can earn them back by being good, but that this is how it's going to work for now.  The older one says "This is not a good plan". 

So far, after approximately 2 1/2 hours of being in effect, 1 band has been lost and re-earned.  In fact, just a minute ago, I reminded them it was time to go to bed after letting them talk for awhile.  They, of course continued to giggle.  I told them they would both lose a band if they continued and instantly,

NO MORE NOISE.  

Well, let me tell you that I am one happy mommy today, maybe even tomorrow.  We will have to see how long this one works.