How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

Who Says Bribery Doesn’t Work

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I needed their rooms cleaned up.

I wanted them to practice their piano.

Showers are required.

Litter box must be cleaned.

Please girls, do your chores.

Girls, remember I asked you to clean the litter box?

Girls….

SweetGirl YOU are the one with the piano lesson tomorrow, not me.

nag nag nag nag

Is this my life now?

Screw this. 

Let the bribery begin. 

Clean your room and you can have ice cream for desert.

(You have never seen a room cleaned so fast in your life)

Who wants McDonald’s?  Oh gee, wait a second. Did you clean the litter box and practice your piano yet?  We can’t possibly go for a treat like McDonalds until you take care of those things first!

What’s that?  You want to stay up and watch a little extra TV?  Hmmm well sure, but how about jumping in the shower first.

Is this wrong?  Maybe, but frankly it’s been a long flippin week here in the Suburbs and it is only Tuesday.  If bribing your kids is wrong, I don’t want to be right!

Oh and PS.  If you meet a Mama in the Suburbs who says she has never bribed her babies.  Yeah, she is a liar. 

    • Comments

    1. Every Mama (and Daddy, too for that matter) has to resort to bribery at some time. It works! My kids are older but bribery is the gift that keeps on giving!

    4. Hell yeah..Ive even used money..I know very bad..also money for A’s..why not we get bonuses and good pay for good work…now that they’re older I still use .. some new item or clothing and the always appreciated later curfews…we’re teaching them the American Way..wow that does’nt sound too good..!

    9. I think this is called “positive reinforcement” vs “negative reinforcement” which would be me. I tend to be more of the Mom who says “Clean the litter box or no tv” or “Feed the animals now or you won’t be eating dinner until you do”

      I should probably work on being more positive…

    10. I use this method often. But I kind of like how you cushioned the McDonald’s bribe. “Oh gee, we can’t possibly do ____ until ____ is done, can we?” I’m going to have to remember to be more subtle. 😉

    14. I’m seriously thinking of pinning a sign to my daughter “will work for candy”…surely beats nagging, works for me! I can’t count the broccoli that’s been consumed in anticipation of McDonald’s ice cream…So I figure while I may be adding to the tendancy to be obese (she’s not) at least she’ll be simultaneously “healthy”!