Punishments

I have entered into a new phase in my life.  This phase involves learning how to deal with life with a 12 and 13 year old after living with out kids in the house.  So far this has involved setting basic rules like cleaning your room, doing the dishes, being nice to everyone, and having a set bedtime.  But the kids have still found ways to get into trouble.  So far they've been grounded, phone taken away, video games taken away, and plans have been canceled.  It's not fun.  I never realized that when I was in trouble when I was young it meant my mom didn't get to do fun things so that I could be punished.  I've been talking to my mom a lot lately and she's been giving me all kinds of insight into these unfun preteen to teen years.  It appears that parents don't tell their kids about these things because it may keep them from having kids. 

• I found out that the next two weeks will be rocky getting the kids on a schedule and used to school.  
• I also found out that summers off from school will have a rocky two weeks of schedule adjustment.
• Also kids like to be dirty and keep trash in various yucky locations in their rooms.  Like: under the bed, in a drawer, in a corner, and in the closet.
• Giving kids their clean clothes does not mean that they will put them away.  I've found clothes piled up in the corner, under the bed, and all over the floor in the closet.

I never realized how specific you have to be about rules.  At this age they will push everything until you are firm with them and they keep getting in trouble.

Last night everyone was being good.  I finished the back to school clothes shopping.  We had pizza for supper. We played UNO spin after supper.  We let the kids stay up past their bedtime and watch Shrek in the living room.  And what happened the girl peirced the boys ear with a dirty safety pin.  So once again they're in trouble.  It's barely been a day since the last time they were in trouble.  I'm getting tired of having to get angry and have talks with them.  I hope going to school will ease this up some.  It should since it'll give them less time to fight with each other.

What punishments do you find effective?

Beth Ann