Reward Charts for Grown Ups

I’m all for setting goals.   The carrot at the end of the stick, or to call a spade a spade, a good old fashioned bribe.  A little bribe, an honest one, but mostly a bribe that will get the job done and if it removes the sting, better still.

When the boys went back to school (BTS) I thought it might be nice to soften the blow with a little treat at the end of the first week.

We were lucky.  The treat literally fell into our collective laps when we were invited along on a boat trip. 

It was so lovely I thought why not make it a regular event.  Not the boat trip.  The treat.  A pat on the back for a job well done. 

This idea went down very well with the troops and the next treat was decided by Oldest Boy who by very dint of his position in the family has more than a touch of alpha male about him.  His younger brothers, recognising when the king of the jungle is in the room, assumed submissive positions and went along with his suggestion.  Which was a trip to Dundrum shopping centre with the intention of having a sushi lunch.

A while back the supermarket we frequent was hosting an Asian experience and I picked up a tray of raw fish for the boys.  Much to my surprise they enjoyed it very much.  Oldest Boy hadn’t forgotten it.    I suspected, however, it was the novelty factor more than the culinary experience that won them over.

Our next treat is still a matter of weeks away but I had a little moment of clarity recently.

Since the boys WBTS, there has been rugby, an introduction to a most excellent climbing wall and plenty of birthday parties in the offing.  Not to mention hikes with scouts and various other events. 

All of these treats for the boys but none for the grown-ups.  Something was very wrong with this picture.

I decided to rectify.

I was reminded of the online writing course I spotted earlier on this year.  The one I promised myself I would sign up to.  May and June sped past and before I knew it I was neck deep in Back to School purchases, my online writing course savings haemorrhaging before my eyes.

Moving quickly forward, last week I completed my first module. Tomorrow I am booked in for a long overdue haircut and Mister Husband has arranged for a sitter so I get to go on a date with my hair him tomorrow night.

I am writing this with a class of red wine by my side because that was in short supply for the 

last few weeks also.

Treats, you see, shouldn’t be just for the kids.   Grown-ups should have regular rewards too.

Sushi.  Haircuts.   Wine.  Dates.  Mitching from work.  (ssshhh) and hey, star charts if that’s what floats your boat.

Go on.   Treat yourself.