The absolute best part is it builds the children’s character, learning how to work together on top of building relationships, while taking ownership for their behaviors. At first the kids thought the jar was a joke and resisted the consequences of the jar until the bottom line was spelled out. Do this … or spend the rest of the night in bed without supper.
Here is a list of what our sticks say. We’ve had to tweak ours a few times as other behavior problems arose. I also reserved most of my purple sticks for my 5-year-old, because sometimes she just needs to laugh to get over the issue at hand. You can create the sticks to be color coded for each child or for specific behaviors.
Take out trash together
Play one round of Uno together
Share your tablet
Read a story to the other person
Say 3 nice things about the other person
Make the other person’s bed
Grace
Choose J.O.Y.—Jesus, Others, Yourself
Sweep Garage together
Set table together
Pray for the other person
Take the other person’s laundry downstairs
Organize toys together
Clean bathroom sinks together
Sweep and mop floors together
Load dishwasher together
Walk dogs together
Poop scoop together
Red Light, Green Light
Stair Sledding
Simon Says
Make other person a snack
Watch a movie together
Pick up the other person’s toys
Do the Hokey Pokey
Fold towels together
Go brush your teeth
Burpee’s
Share your snack
Draw or write an I’m Sorry letter
Do one regular chore for the other person
Items needed:
- Popsicle Sticks (colored or non-colored)
- All purpose Labels
- Sharpies or Pencil
- A clean non-sharp can or a mason jar
Method
Sit down with your kids and discuss the issues, behaviors, etc., and then ask them what kind of consequences they can do for each other or together. Begin marking them on the sticks. Explain that you will no longer be the one who will dole out consequences or break up fights—it’s up to them to get along. Ask for suggestions of fun things they can do to get over the issue and toss those into the jar as well.
When they resist the jar
Remind them of why they have the Get Along Jar and ask if they would rather be alone in doing chores or if they would like ______________ (fill in blank for the ultimate consequence).
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For more of Heather’s great perspective on motherhood, check out Heather’s book Mama Needs A Time-Out: Daily Getaways for the Mom’s Soul.
