ShannonAlbert.com - June 2009

Just realized that my kids are getting so old that I've begun "remember when?" type of stories.

Payton's always had a thing for animals. She used to call ants her friends until she realized they love to bite her, she loves dogs of all sizes and shapes and even farm animals. One time when Payton was 2 or 3, Andy drew a picture of a farm and Payton declared that something was definitely missing. Unable to figure out what it was, she let him know that every animal needed a purse. Of course they did. Everybody needs a purse!

When we'd drive by farm animals, she'd matter-of-factly declare that she needed to take the cow home. Nevermind the fact that we lived in an apartment. Once we did buy a house, she told us how excited she was that now she could have a horse! Too bad our yard was 12x12.

Payton's also flirted with being a vegetarian over the years. Complicating this was two things: she wasn't a big fan of vegetables and the minor detail that she really loved the taste of meat.

Until now.

She's recently acquired the taste for lots of vegetables and is varying the food she eats a lot more. Her conscientiousness is also winning over flavor and she's been meat-free for a couple of months now. I admit that sometimes I find it annoying. We are meat eaters and having her not eat meat is not very convenient many times. However, like everything in her life, she wants to do what she believes is right and is persistent in that effort. I admire that.

In 14 years, I've never been a fan of chore charts or paying for chores but recently, the kids just weren't doing what they should be so I've done what I said I'd never do: create a chore chart and even more, there's money involved.



The kids have the same tasks to complete everyday and at 8:30, I check the list and sign if it's complete. They each get an amount for each day complete and if they complete every day of the week, their weekly amount doubles.

We are just getting started on this system but they are very excited about it. I'm surprised since we've never done it but apparently they were craving something more structured. We'll see how it goes.