written by Angie » Habits for a Happy Home

The “Job Jar”: just the thing to get the “Job” done!

Apr 252013

I knew I needed to be more intentional with my boys about pointing out their good choices, you know those times they were submitting to the spirit, that is why I am using the Fruit of the Spirit Jar again. I also knew I needed to mix things up a bit when it came time to decide on what to do for their not-so-good choices.

You see my boys love video games, so I got into the habit of only taking video games away when the boys made a not-so-good-choice. I just felt like that I needed to add some variety into this type of parenting situation. So, for these not so good choices I put out a “Job Jar”. The Job Jar consist of strips of paper that list out different activities that my boys would consider jobs.

You know actual work such as:

sweeping
vacuuming
dusting
cleaning toilets, tubs, sinks, baseboards, etc.
math worksheets, copy work, practice multiplication tables, etc..

If they have to pick something from the job jar, they have to put their initials on the strip of paper. That way if they pick it the next time, they will put it back and pick another one that they haven’t done.

This has worked:

to add some variety
give a little surprise factor
for me to get a little extra help with house work
for them to get in a little practice in on some important educational skills

I am very pleased and thankful for the prompting of the Holy Spirit to use both of the jars I have mentioned above. As I said, sometimes you just need to mix things up a bit!

~written by Angie

Fruit of the Spirit Jar: When it’s time to mix things up a bit

Habits for a Happy Mom, Habits for Happy Kids, Habits for life, Heavenly Habits 2 Responses »

Mar 142013

You know how sometimes you just need to mix things up a bit. You might need to do something new or it might be something you just haven’t done in a long time. The point is it’s something different from what you’re doing at that very moment. Well, a couple of weeks ago I was at that point. That point of knowing something needed to change. The change needed to effect the good or bad consequences I may or may not be handing out depending on my boys behavior or attitude. I knew I needed to be more intentional with my boys about pointing out their good choices, you know those times they were submitting to the spirit. I also knew I needed to mix things up a bit what it came time to decide on what to do for their not-so-good choices.

So one day I remembered the jar I used to keep out on the counter full of what we called fruit tickets. The fruit ticket was a strip of card stock that I had printed a row of different kinds of fruit. These tickets represented variety that represented the Fruit of the Spirit.

Gal. 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

I can not remember where in the world I got the idea or how in the world I came up with the idea of the Fruit of the Spirit jar. The idea though is to be an ‘intentional’ parent. One of the ways I am intentional is to put the jar in a place I am sure to see it, so I will be reminded to actually follow through with my plan. Not every time but sometimes when they bear fruit I will hand them a fruit ticket.

For example: offering forgiveness, using self-control when they choice not to hit their brother because they were really mad, obeying with a good attitude, helping without being asked, etc.. When I give them the ticket I will explain to them why they are getting it, maybe even what specific fruit they were showing. I make sure to thank them for their choice in bearing some fruit. Not every time but every so often, I also remind them that when they choose to bear fruit it is not by their power but it is by the grace of GOD through the power of the Holy Spirit that they can bear fruit.

Every couple of weeks I will collect the tickets. Each ticket is worth so many points, and I add these to the points they earn on their ”My Job Chart“. The point system doesn’t need to be included for this to work. I just do it so at a later date there is another opportunity for me to be intentional and to ”bless’ them for bearing some fruit!!

In case you wondered, my boys were very happy to see this jar back and to receive their first fruit ticket in a long time!! In a later post I will talk about the two other jars I have sitting in my kitchen window above the sink.

~Written by Angie

Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett: Your Passport to Learning Adventures!