I forget the exact name of this -- I believe it's called the Ransom Chest. It's when kids leave toys all over the house after giving
multiple warnings to put them back in their place. You put the toys in a box and then when you collect enough -- or they ask for
the toy -- you explain it was left out and now has to be "earned" back.
I've seen it on a few websites and I'm ready to try it.
Has anyone ever done this sort of chest to teach responsiblity? Do you call it something different than "ransom?"
I haven't impletmented it yet -- but do have the toys. Last time we just shocked them with what we had found. But, it's
happening again this week...looking for new ideas.
What are some ways you made them earn the toys back? (All I can think of is picking up after yourself for a week for one toy).
Never heard a term like that used before, but I like it. :)
Yeah, we called it a ransom chest...and boy did it work!! The kids learned that I won't allow them to leave their toys all over the house!
I need to do it again now that they're teens. I'd have iPods, a phone, books, Nooks, laptops, shoes....I could make a small fortune on Craigslist, lol!
Yup :) We do it! We just call it the 'Ransom Box'...it's been good :) I've noticed some things they don't care enough to 'pay the ransom' for...and so it's helped with decluttering...if it's not worth it to them...heaven knows it's not worth it to me! Let me see if I can cut and paste the list that I printed an cut up :)
Pull weeds in garden for 10 minutes
Wipe down kids’ bathroom toilet
Clean kids’ bathroom mirror while singing any song
Give mom and dad a hug and say, “I will never leave my stuff out again.”
Wipe down walls by front door
Empty all garbage cans
Take out recycling
Write a letter to someone who has done a service for you and tell them thank you
Sweep front porch
Dust living room
You are free but this is a WARNING!
Tell all of your siblings 3 things you love about them
Run around the house for 1 minute and see how many things you can pick up and put away.
While hopping on one foot, wipe the kitchen counters off.
Hand wash 3 dishes
Scrub your toilet while singing, ‘whistle while you work’
Pick up 5 things in the back yard, do 5 jumping jacks, and beg your mother for forgiveness.
Organize the shoe shelf
Make up a song about having a clean house and perform it for a parent or sibling
Give mom a foot massage for 5 minutes
That's what we use :)
ETA: I can't emphasize enough - if they don't care enough to do something to get it back...if it doesn't phase them...get rid of the toy or item!! I used to get more attached to their toys then they were (Grandma got this one, I don't want to throw it out....I paid for this one, I don't want to just chuck it...etc.). De-cluttering feels SOOOO good!!
I don't remember what my mother called it but she did this in 1971. We could "buy back" our stuff after about two weeks. She had different prices set for each item.
I have a laundry basket. I give my boys (9 & 12) three warnings...IF I TOUCH OR STEP ON IT - It's gone. I've never called it a ransom basket - although I like the name!!!
This means XBOX games, controllers, shoes, cleats, hats, etc. if they leave them on the floor they obviously don't care enough about their personal property to take care it.
To earn it back? They have to do extra stuff/chores. If they don't ask for the stuff back - it gets donated or sold in a garage sale or ebay. They DO notice the XBOX games and controllers missing - so they now work REALLY hard to put them in the basket I have next to the XBOX for them instead of on the couch or coffee table, etc.
I have threatened to do this, but have not. I'm working on getting my FIRST requests responded to instead. Nothing personal, I just don't want to be "that" mom!
I need one!! We tried that once and put a bunch of toys in the guest room. Unfortunately, it didn't seem to phase them. It would be worth trying again, though!
