Stashed under an end table in my living room is a box.
My box.
All its contents belong to me.
In it are things I have collected from off the floor.
I used to harp and nag at my kids to pick up their stuff.
Then one day the clouds parted.
The Pinterest Gods bestowed bounty from Heaven in the form of an idea…a Ransom Box.
Cleaning up toys changed from that day on.
When things don’t get picked up after one request, I quietly collect those items without announcement and put them in my box.
When a kid can’t find where he put his item he can pick a stick and do a chore to earn it back…that is if he wants it back.
If not, no biggie.
I get a new Wii remote!
I can’t tell you how quickly things get picked up now.
The power of action and consequence without whining or a battle.
I created this project with the help of my Zink hAppy printer. It was super quick and easy. I designed everything from the ZINK app on my cell phone and printed directly to the printer (which can be cordless and small enough to fit in my purse). It uses no ink and the paper has an adhesive backing that made it perfect to stick to the tags and sticks.
The projects you can create with the ZINK hAppy printer are endless!
(More about these sugar cookies and labeling here).
Good Deed Cards and kids school organization.
The exciting news is I’m giving another ZINK hAppy printer away.
There are several ways to enter just follow the directions below (not all are mandatory):
Hey there! I’m Michelle; I’m an Passionate DIY’er and in constant pursuit of how to bring beauty to my house full of men (3 boys + 1 hubby). Stick around and see what I’ve got up my hard-working sleaves!
I would love this Zink Happy Printer…. I would help out so much with my 1 year old and school and life and simple things in the home.
These little printers are so cool I can think of tons of ways that I would use it!
I would love to borrow your idea about a toy ransom! I am constantly having conversations with my 6 year old about his Lego left strewn about and his 10 month old sister who is scooting around faster every day (and putting everything into her mouth).
And, that printer is SWEET! I can’t find the instructions on how to enter the give-a-way, so can this be my entry?
Yes, borrow away. (Just to be fair I first saw this on Pinterest from http://bovagoods.blogspot.com/). It’s working wonders at our house so far. To enter the giveaway it’s right at the end in a box. You just have to either enter your email or it will prompt you to log in with Facebook.
Thanks! 🙂
O.M.G. Does this work for husbands who leave shoes a-mess at the door? I will totally swipe them and hold them hostage until a back massage is given. Hellooo Zink Happy Printer, where have you been all my life?
OK, that is too funny…I actually started to do the same thing with my husband’s shoes…so he started taking mine. Dang! Didn’t see that one coming. My comeback was, “I’m the only one that cleans up around here so I’m allowed to leave my stuff around.” Oye. Husbands, gotta love ’em!
Brilliant! Love this idea
Thanks Charlotte!
so clever! My mom did a version of this when I was young and I still remember the anxiety of making sure my room was picked up before I left for school so I didn’t have to earn my stuff back when i got home. I definitely need to implement this with my own kids!
Your mom was a genius! Love it!
Okay, that is the BEST idea I’ve seen for getting kids to pick up after themselves. It is practical and not “punishing”. I LOVE it. Thank you for sharing! Oh, and I have to have that printer! The things I could do with it…
Thanks for your comment Marianne. Yes, this little system is really working wonders at our house. My son chose to run around in soccer cleats because all his other shoes were in my box and he didn’t want to do a chore to earn them back. His choice. No arguments. Worked for me. 🙂 BTW, I LOVE your blog!
This is such a great idea! I totally need to implement it, I could get some serious cleaning done…I mean my kids could, lol! Thanks Michelle, pinning!
It’s seriously working for us, hallelujah! 🙂
Michele I LOVE this idea. I have 5 children and trying to keep a house clean is virtually impossible, especially with summer coming! I would love to have that printer, I can already think so all the many ways I could put it to use between piano and violin books, toys, and on and on! 🙂