The "Character Jar"

We started a new thing with Austin, to track good behavior, using what we're calling a "Character Jar." I bought some extra large marbles on Amazon, pulled a jam jar from the closet, and created some reward cards which I printed on cardstock, so there wasn't a whole lot of work or cost involved in getting it ready.

Here's how it works (so far, this is still our first time filling the jar):
-when we see Austin displaying a positive character trait (which is one of our biggest goals in our parenting style), we tell him that he has earned a marble for doing xyz
-he gets to pick a marble from the bag and put it into the jar
-once the jar is full, he will pick from the stack of reward cards (at which point the jar will empty back into the bag)
-he will keep the reward card in his wallet until he's ready to redeem it and will have to hand it over when it is redeemed
And then the process starts over!

Examples of character traits we look for include: Helpful, Cooperative, Kind, Patient, Generous, and Obedient. These sorts of things manifest in all sorts of ways, but so far some of the things he's gotten marbles for are helping Graham put his SuperWhy! costume on without being asked to help him, getting himself completely dressed by himself, cleaning up his bedroom without being harped on, buckling himself into his carseat, not complaining when asked to wait longer than expected, etc. So far we really like it. The best part for me is that it helps me stay focused on the positive behaviors he does rather than staying always focused on the negative ones and being a yelly/mean mom.

What it looks like when full.

Austin's reward cards.