Shoe Jail

Problem: Youngest Son leaves shoes EVERYWHERE except the shoe rack in his closet. Shoes are on the front porch, in the garage, under the dinner table, beside his desk, the list goes on and on ...

What Did Not Work: Asking, reminding, pleading, threatening, punishing ... the usual parenting tricks.

What Kinda Worked: Shoe Jail for Youngest Son - taking Youngest Son's found shoes away and charging 25 cents per shoe to get them back.

Solution: Shoe Jail for All -We applied the same rule to all in the household including parents. If shoes are found around the house and not in the closet then the finder can confiscate the shoes and charge $1 per pair to get them back.

Result: I have not found Youngest Son's shoes out in over 3 weeks. Today I paid him 2 bucks to get mine back! The tables have turned - Youngest Son is now the enforcer.

Common Wisdom has always been that parenting by actions is more effective than words.

Mommy with Commuter Husband - My Sunday Consequence