Sandwiched Club

Hey all, in this update, I will continue to share a bit about how we transitioned back to school after the holidays. The transition this time was much smoother than before. Perhaps the kids have grown but here’s what we did to set them up for success. Love, Ms Bacon

School starts… and the kids’ whole system changed. Mrs Bacon wanted to incorporate all the things she learnt from the holidays into the new year so:

1. A new reward system – This updated reward system incorporated finishing work, taking notes and exercising daily. If the kids finished their schoolwork, they would get 30 mins of TV. If they wrote their homework down in their diary or *cue-sheet, they would get another 10 mins. And if they finished their tuition work, another 5 mins would be given. BUT all screen times would only be unlocked with daily exercise, preferably outdoors. Verdict: Master Focaccia took to it well and so did Miss Cheesy – they realized it was short term enough to get what they wanted, and interesting enough, they seemed to find exercise doable and sometimes even enjoyable.
2. Physical Schedules, Task Sheets – The kids would go through the weekly schedule with Mr Eggy while Mrs Bacon would come up with a weekly Tuition homework schedule – spreading out homework so that there was enough time for exercise and honestly, play. The sheets would be put outside the toilet as a way to ensure the kids would know what needed to be done and when. Verdict: The kids would refer and complete their required homework. However, reminders were still needed and there was certainly resistance though less – the kids knew that’s how they would get their extra 5 mins and so they had to decide if they really wanted it.
3. PLAY is a skill too – By 5.30 pm, Mrs Bacon would want the kids outside playing with their friends or getting some screen time. If you’re working hard, you should play hard too. Verdict: Many times, the kids would go play with their friends for an hour, getting sweaty, playing badminton, etc. The point was to teach them that there is more to life than studies. Playing with friends is also an important life skill.
4. 8 pm shut down rule – There was a rule that was discussed with between the kids and Mrs Bacon – that all screens needed to be shut down by 8 pm. It did not matter if they had not finished their screen time reward – the kids knew that if they didn’t stop by then, they would have a hard time sleeping through the night, and that they treasured. (They fear the dark so…)  Verdict: Seemed to work but Mrs Bacon still nags but at least the expectation is there.  

Perhaps most would see this as the children were being independent but truthfully, Mrs Bacon has a work hard at work and at home making sure she was present for both groups especially in the afternoon when the kids are back from school. Without a present mum, it’s not easy to have the kids at home on their own. That is for the next story.