It's very exasperating when a child refuses to do the things she's supposed to do. (because she wants ice cream NOW or just because she doesn't want to stop what she's doing.)
Luckily, I've found a way to get the 9-year-old to be more cooperative when she is a stubborn mood.
-- I threaten to take away part of her allowance.
I'm beginning to work it like the Points that are awarded to the student 'houses' at Hogwarts.
I begin by telling her that I'm removing a nickel from her allowance. If she still doesn't do it (move faster/ brush her teeth/ get off the computer/ close down the game or DVD), I keep subtracting another penny. and another penny. and another.
And when she does things well?
I add pennies to her allowance.
(which usually compensates for some of the nickels I've removed during the week.
It's working like a charm.
Amazing.
