We've struggled, somewhat, with grades for Cole for awhile. I know most parents are completely thrilled with B averages, but he's SO very capable of more. We're now about midway through the 3rd quarter of this year and his grades have vastly improved. Each quarter has gotten better. 1st quarter consisted of mostly B's and the rest A's. Then 2nd quarter was about split A's and B's. This quarter, so far of course, is 1 B (an 88 though) and the rest A's. SO GOOD! Chase got a nasty little 89 the first quarter and it threw him onto the B honor roll the first quarter. He was VERY disappointed when he found out he would get the money. Then the 2nd quarter was all A's with an A average for the semester too. We've always tried really hard to encourage the kids and we've always paid Cole a little for his good grades (B's and better), but with Chase in the mix this year and sports to play we upped the anty a little. They agreed with our new policy and wanted it over the prior policy for grade pay. Prior to this, we paid $1/A and $.50/B and nothing lower. If you got straight A's you got $20 for the quarter. This year we informed Cole that since he wanted to play basketball and it coincides with the school year, unlike summer baseball, he had to have an 83% or higher in order for us to let him stay on the team. He agreed and has worked very hard to keep this. That combined with our new pay policy seems to have encouraged him. I hope he stays that way. We're now only paying for straight A's. They get $40/semester for straight A's and if they keep them the entire year they get an extra $100. They can spend half. This has really been enticing for them and Chase managed it, so he's really aiming for the year now.
We figured parents buy their kids stuff when they go to Walmart all the time or pay allowances and what not. What's a better investment than working hard for good grades and getting money for your accomplishment. No better way to spend money, in our minds. Then they have to save too. The portion they can spend we help them talk over how to spend and the best way to do so. It teaches them to be a little frugal and wait for things they really want, but don't have the money for.
Now, they're also learning to allocate their time wisely. We've told them before we don't expect to be able to let them play more than 2 sports. Having 4 kids means a sacrifice of time to go to the games/events and we want to be there for them all, as parents. Not to mention how expensive it could get. Cole has decided to let baseball go. He does not want to play this Spring and we're behind him. If he should decide, next year, that he missed it and wants to sign up again, that's fine too. He may find other intestests...who knows. He seemed to really like playing basketball, so we told him to put his energy into it and get better at that activity. Chase still wants to do it all. But, he's slimmed his two down to baseball and eventually football. Yeah, not his mother's pick, but.... Kaelin is all about soccer still. She seems to have no interest in anything else and she's pretty darn good at it. She's got some natural athletic ability like Chase....even as ackwardly as she walks sometimes. Get that girl out there to play soccer and she's a different person. Who knows about Chelsi yet. She says she wants to cheer like momma, but I think she'll try a year at soccer this fall to see if she likes it. Wow...I hadn't thought about that 'til now. My baby's old enough to play soccer. Good Lord, where has the time gone with my baby?
Lisa
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