they get stuck with all the extra chores around the house. Well, think
of this. Now, if you are going to have to do all that stuff, you’re going
to get paid for it!
Have you ever said to your kids, for example, “I’m happy to do
your laundry on Saturday. All you have to do is get your clothes down
to the washer by nine. But I’ll be darned if I’m going to go up to your
room every weekend to get your dirty underwear out from underneath
your bed!”
Quik Tip
With the docking system, you tell the kids, “I have good news and bad news. The
good news is that if you forget a chore, I’ll do it for you. The bad news is that
you’re going to pay me for helping you out.” Then tell them the exact amount they
will have to pay you.
Now let’s imagine you’re going to use the docking system for
laundry. You say this: “I’m happy to do your laundry on Saturday
mornings. All you have to do is get your clothes down to the washer
by nine. If you don’t get your clothes down by then, I will go up to
your room to get your dirty things. But I charge for that service. And
for a pile the size of the one you usually have, it will probably cost
you seventy-five cents to a dollar.”
- Natural Consequences