Wednesday, February 3, 2010

GIVEAWAY: My Reward Chart by Little Billies, a Positive Parenting Tool ($25 Gift Certificate)

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

A year or so ago, I came upon multiple accounts from moms talking about how three was a much "harder" age than two. I scoffed a little bit but, at the same time, my mind started to panic. Big Sister E wasn't completely a Terrible Two's child, but honestly, she wasn't that far from it. How could three be worse? I couldn't fathom it possible.

Now that we are partway through three, I understand.

All of the same issues that we had when Big Sister E was two are still here, except it seems that more have surfaced. Add to that the fact that she is twice as stubborn and has to test each and every limit and... well, there are days that motherhood isn't so much fun. I'm completely baffled when "No, I do it MYSELF," as she snatches the pajamas from my hands is followed immediately by "I need HELP! I no know HOW to do it!" and wonder what in the world I could have done to prevent the inevitable oncoming storm.

I don't want to spend my time focusing on what she should NOT be doing and how she should NOT be acting, but it's just harder to point out the positives sometimes. Now, thanks to Little Billies, encouraging the behaviors that I want to see is just so much easier.


Mother of two, Sarah Dawson, created Little Billies in 2006 when she was looking for a tool to not only positively reinforce her son's behavior, but one that would actually engage him and make him want to behave better. From there, her innovative Reward Charts were invented and later followed by Routine Charts, Visible Schedules and more to help children and parents learn and grow together.

As all of the parts to Big Sister E's My Reward Chart are magnetic (the chart itself as well as the reward sticker-magnets), she was eager to find a place for it on our refrigerator. She and I sat down and looked at the brightly-colored magnets and talked about what was shown in each picture and what it meant in terms of her behavior.

I appreciated having the Parents Tips for Use sheet with us because the suggestions for each magnet were really helpful and yet, the images and words displayed on the magnets can easily be adapted to whatever works best for us. Combining generic terms with simple visual cues, the magnets can have alternative meanings as life changes and children develop.

For instance, the Good Sleep magnet doesn't need to mean just taking a nap or going to sleep on her own because Big Sister E does a great job at those already. Instead, we talked about not complaining when it is nap time and doing a great job of staying in her room in the morning if she is awake before everyone else. In the future, when she no longer takes a nap, maybe it will mean playing quietly while Little Sister B is taking one or, when it is time, having a good transition from a toddler bed to a bigger bed.

Big Sister E easily understood the concept of her good behavior leading to putting the magnets on the chart and working towards her prize. Asking her what she would like that prize to be, I wasn't surprised when "COOKIES!" was the answer. After a trip to the grocery store where she could pick out her own mix, the next morning a batch of oatmeal raisin prizes were baked (and the spoon was sufficiently licked).

Still needing work on her delayed gratification skills, Big Sister E was immediately eager to fill up her chart. "I put these away?" She asked me, pointing at the random plastic cups and containers that Little Sister B had pulled out of a kitchen drawer. I nodded and she quickly stuck them back in, rushing back to the chart afterward and pointing at the Packing Up magnet. My husband could only laugh.

Since that day, using a My Reward Chart with Big Sister E has not only helped her work on her good behavior, it has made her WANT to act better - something so much more important. Whether your child is younger or a little older, there are two different stages of My Reward Chart to choose from (stage 1 is for 2+ and stage 2 is for 4+), multiple sizes and styles to choose from and magnets for all aspects of growing up.

In an effort to make parenting a positive experience, Little Billies has created products that are affirming for both children and adults. At the end of the day, I'm much happier having rewarded my daughter for waiting patiently, sharing nicely and using good manners instead of having had to take away her toys or continually put her in a time-out. It's a much better situation for all of us and I get to enjoy my sweet, loving girl so much more!

Thanks to the generosity of Little Billies, one person will get to select the parenting tool(s) that will work best for their child because...

One lucky person will win a $25 gift certificate to Little Billies!


To enter to win a $25 gift certificate to Little Billies: Check out all of the wonderful products at Little Billies and tell me which one you would love to own. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted. For example, if you subscribe, leave one comment saying "I subscribe #1" and a separate comment saying "I subscribe #2")

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow Little Billies on Twitter, follow the Little Billies blog with Google Friend Connect and/or send an email to subscribe to the Little Billies newsletter.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

$25 gift card to Little Billies - positive parenting tools reinforce good behavior! @thxmailcarrier http://bit.ly/by4Xjd #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. I've moved! Please update your button code! Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and Little Billies. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on February 25th at 11:59pm CST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open worldwide - if you're reading this, you can enter!

A big thank you to Sarah at Little Billies for providing a My Reward Chart for me to review as well as a $25 gift card for one lucky giveaway winner. Positive reinforcement is so important - and now easy to do! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

270 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   1 – 200 of 270   Newer›   Newest»
Jenna said...

I was just thinking about doing something like this with our daughter. I'd love the morning and evening charts! Thanks for the chance!

Jenna
jenna(at)momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I follow them on twitter (@MomBalancingAct)

jenna(at)momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I follow them on Google Friend Connect

jenna(at)momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I follow you on twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/MomBalancingAct/status/8593214210

jenna(at)momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect
jenna(at)momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I subscribe via e-mail

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I subscribe via e-mail

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I have your button - www.momsbalancingact.com

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jenna said...

I have your button - www.momsbalancingact.com

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

Jennifer said...

I would get my oldest the My Reward Chart in the Pony design

Jennifer said...

I entered your AIR-O-SWISS giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your Flowerz In Her Hair giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your This Little Piggy's House giveaway

Jennifer said...

I entered your The EIROfit Weight Management System giveaway

Jennifer said...

I follow via google friend connect #1

Jennifer said...

I follow via google friend connect #2

Jennifer said...

I subscribe via email #1

ShellyH said...

I like the my reward chart mini for 2 year olds and the my reward chart magnets set. Very clever!

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

following on twitter @Ravish30

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

following via google connect #2.

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

entered Air O Swiss

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

entered affordable scarves

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

entered handbag heaven
Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

entered Flowerz in her hair

Ravish30 at aol dot com

ShellyH said...

Entered this little piggys play house

Ravish30 at aol dot com

mverno said...

i like the my rewards magnets
mverno@roadrunner.com

Jennifer said...

I follow Little Billies on Twitter (@jkgorcery)

Jennifer said...

I follow the Little Billies blog with Google Friend Connect

Jennifer said...

I follow you on Twitter (@jkgorcery) and I tweeted: https://twitter.com/jkgorcery/status/8610413839

Anonymous said...

I love the My Morning & Evening routine charts.
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I am following Little Billies on Twitter (talonsmom731)
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I am following the Little Billies blog with Google Friend Connect
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I am following you on Twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/8612503138
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I am following you with Google Friend Connect
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com
1

Anonymous said...

I am following you with Google Friend Connect
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com
2

Anonymous said...

I am subscribed to your RSS feed
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com
1

Anonymous said...

I am subscribed to your RSS feed
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com
2

Anonymous said...

I have your button on my blog
http://goyay.blogspot.com/
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com
1

Anonymous said...

I blogged about this giveaway
http://goyay.blogspot.com/2010/02/little-billies-gc-giveaway-thanks-mail.html
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com
1

Anonymous said...

I blogged about this giveaway
http://goyay.blogspot.com/2010/02/little-billies-gc-giveaway-thanks-mail.html
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com
2

Anonymous said...

I blogged about this giveaway
http://goyay.blogspot.com/2010/02/little-billies-gc-giveaway-thanks-mail.html
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com
3

Candice said...

I would love the Stage 1 & 2 Reward Chart Designer Pack for my toddler.
candy3181@hotmail.com

Candice said...

I follow Little Billies on Twitter @Candy3181

Candice said...

I follow Little Billies Blog with Google Friend.

Candice said...

I follow you with Google Friend Connect #1

Candice said...

I follow you with Google Friend Connect #2

Candice said...

I subscribe to your blog via RSS.
#1

Candice said...

I subscribe to your blog via RSS.
#2

Candice said...

Im subscribed via email #1

Candice said...

Im subscribed via email #2

Pres. Kathy said...

Thanks for this chance - I like the reward chart with a soccer ball.

Pres. Kathy said...

I follow you publicly.

Becky M said...

I love the My Morning and My Evening Charts!
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

google friend #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

google friend #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

email subscriber #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

email subscriber #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

subscribe to rss feed #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

subscribe to rss feed #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Humidifier giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered Handbag Heaven giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered This Little Piggys Playhouse giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered GlassesUSA giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Becky M said...

entered EIROfit giveawa
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/8635390737
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Jenna said...

http://twitter.com/MomBalancingAct/status/8639410072

jenna(at)momsbalancingact.com

ShellyH said...

tweet-http://twitter.com/Ravish30/status/8639473523

ravish30 at aol dot com

Amy said...

I would like to have the stage one and two reward chart packs
laprochaine@gmail.com

Amy said...

I follow little billies on Twitter
laprochaine@gmail.com

Amy said...

I follow little billies blog
laprochaine@gmail.com

Amy said...

I follow you on Twitter and I tweeted,http://twitter.com/laprochaine/statuses/8653663861
laprochaine@gmail.com

Amy said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect
laprochaine@gmail.com
#1

Amy said...

I follow you on Google Friend Connect
laprochaine@gmail.com
#2

Amy said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed
laprochaine@gmail.com
#1

Amy said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed
laprochaine@gmail.com
#2

Amy said...

I subscribe via email
laprochaine@gmail.com
#1

Amy said...

I subscribe via email
laprochaine@gmail.com
#2

Jennifer H said...

What a neat giveaway. I like the My Week pack. Jenprincess88 at aol dot com

Jennifer H said...

#2 Google follower-Jenprincess88 at aol dot com

Jennifer H said...

entered AiroSwiss-Jenprincess88 at aol dot com

Jennifer H said...

entered Affordable scarves-Jenprincess88 at aol dot com

Jennifer H said...

Entered Handbag heaven- Jenprincess88 at aol dot com

Jennifer H said...

Entered Flowerz-Jenprincess88 at aol dot com

Jennifer H said...

Entered Little piggy's- Jenprincess88 at aol dot com

Jennifer H said...

Entered Franklin goose- Jenprincess88 at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/8678627865
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Jenna said...

http://twitter.com/MomBalancingAct/status/8682027851

jenna@momsbalancingact.com

ShellyH said...

tweet-http://twitter.com/Ravish30/status/8685846900

ravish30 at aol dot com

Kristy said...

I like the My Morning & Evening Charts

Kristy said...

Entered handbag giveaway!

Kristy said...

Entered flowerz in her hair giveaway!

Kristy said...

Entered Piggy's house giveaway!

Kristy said...

Entered EIRO fit giveaway!

Kristy said...

Follower 1

Kristy said...

Feed subscriber 1

Kristy said...

Feed subscriber 2

momtoem said...

I'd like to own the My Reward Chart-Designer for my daughter.

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I follow the Little Billies blog with Google Friend Connect

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I follow you with Google Friend Connect #1

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I follow you with Google Friend Connect #2

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email #1.

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email #2.

lejn05@yahoo.com

momtoem said...

I entered this little piggy's house giveaway.

lejn05@yahoo.com

Jennifer T. said...

I'd love to have the My Reward Chart.

Jennifer T. said...

I follow the Little Billies blog with Google Friend Connect.

Jennifer T. said...

I sent an email to subscribe to the Little Billies newsletter.

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the Handbag Heaven giveaway.

Jennifer T. said...

I follow Thanks, Mail Carrier via Google Friend Connect.

Jennifer T. said...

I follow Thanks, Mail Carrier via Google Friend Connect. #2

Jennifer T. said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber to Thanks, Mail Carrier. #1

Jennifer T. said...

I'm an e-mail subscriber to Thanks, Mail Carrier. #2

Juliana said...

I like NIGHT AN DAY!

Juliana said...

I am a new reader from the FF list. Please come follow back if you would like. I am doing some great giveaways right now and have some great ones coming up! Nice to meet you!

Amy said...

I'd love to have the morning and evening routine charts

that's likely what I'd get if I won

amycreatingfire at gmail dot com

Amy said...

I follow little billies blog with google friends connect!

Amy said...

I follow little billies on twitter

Amy said...

entered the little piggy's house giveaway

Amy said...

entered eiro fit giveaway

Amy said...

subscribe to you via both google friend connect and reader entry #1

Amy said...

subscribe to you via both google friend connect and reader entry #2

Amy said...

I follow you =- my tweet is here: http://twitter.com/artemis432/status/8720219433

Amy said...

http://thecreatingfireproject.blogspot.com/#1

Amy said...

http://thecreatingfireproject.blogspot.com/ #2

Amy said...

http://thecreatingfireproject.blogspot.com/ #3

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/8725596580
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Lindsey said...

I like the stage one reward chart.

Lindsey said...

i follow on google friend connect 1

Lindsey said...

i follow on google friend connect 2

Lindsey said...

i subscribe via email 1

Lindsey said...

i subscribe via email 2

Lindsey said...

i entered the flowerz in her hair giveaway

Lindsey said...

i entered the franklin goose giveaway

Lindsey said...

i entered the this little piggy's house giveaway

Lindsey said...

i entered the eirofit giveaway

Lindsey said...

i entered the walking wings giveaway

PerfectBlueMoon said...

I would love to get the morning, evening and week schedules!

Anna
perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

PerfectBlueMoon said...

I follow little billies on twitter! (perfectbluemoon)

Anna
perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

PerfectBlueMoon said...

I follow you on twitter! (perfectbluemoon)
http://twitter.com/perfectbluemoon

Anna
perfectbluemoon@gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/8764096495
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I like the Reward Chart in Stage 2.

Merrie L.
lockwoodmerrie@yahoo.com

Elena G said...

I would like to have the My Morning & Evening Charts.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

I follow Little Billies on Twitter (@spelena).
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Follow you on Twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/spelena/status/8790221212
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Follow you with Google Friend Connect (Elena Shkinder-Gugel) #1.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Follow you with Google Friend Connect (Elena Shkinder-Gugel) #2.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Subscribed to your RSS feed #1.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Subscribed to your RSS feed #2.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Subscribed by email #1.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Subscribed by email #2.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Entered the GlassesUSA Giveaway.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Entered the Franklin Goose $25 GC Giveaway.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Entered the This Little Piggy's House Playhouse Giveaway.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Elena G said...

Entered the Handbag Heaven Giveaway.
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

mogrill said...

I like the morning/evening routine charts. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/8812266852
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the Randomline Games giveaway.

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/8858353701
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Elena G said...

tweet:
http://twitter.com/spelena/status/8885776585
elena.cacahuete@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/8904388426
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

wigget said...

i would love to get the My Reward Chart for my toddler

wigget said...

entered Handbag Heaven giveaway

wigget said...

entered Franklin Goose giveaway

wigget said...

entered RandomLine giveaway

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/8963556350
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Heavenly Savings said...

These are so cute and would come in handy! I like the Rewards charts.

kwhiz84@live.com

Heavenly Savings said...

e-mail subscriber!

kwhiz84@live.com

Heavenly Savings said...

E-mail subscriber #2

kwhiz84@live.com

Heavenly Savings said...

I get the newsletter!!

kwhiz84@live.com

Heavenly Savings said...

Signed up for Handbag Giveaway!

kwhiz84@live.com

Heavenly Savings said...

signed up for Little piggy's house giveaway

kwhiz84@live.com

jagel888 said...

I like the reward magnets. Great encouragement.
Jodi

jagel888 said...

Email Subscriber #2

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/9011820043
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Elena G said...

tweet:
http://twitter.com/spelena/status/9085516593
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

I would SOOOOO LOVE to own the My Reward Chart Designer.
itzacin@gmail.com

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

I follow you. #1
itzacin@gmail.com

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

I follow you #2
itzacin@gmail.com

♥Yaya's Mommy ♥ said...

entered glasses USA giveaway
itzacin@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/9099204513
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Kristy said...

Entered Eden Fantasys $50 Gift Card giveaway!

nellbe said...

Morning and Evening Charts look wonderful. Thank you for the chance.

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/9143240601
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Bombtastic Belle said...

I like the My Baby Day chart
eod_army_wife04(at)yahoo(dot)com

fancygrlnancy said...

I like the My Morning & Evening Charts
bwneyes100 AT hotmail DOT com

Elena G said...

tweet:
http://twitter.com/spelena/status/9169442646
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/9187532927
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Melanie Montgomery said...

I'd choose the regular My Reward Chart.


clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

Kristy said...

Entered Great Big Outdoor Playball and Electric Pump from Hearthsong (ARV $90).

Jaydensgrandma said...

I like the daily schedule, morning and evening.
joyerast AT hotmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/9235122706
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the Great Big Outdoor Playball and Electric Pump from HearthSong giveaway.

anthy said...

I'd love to own the morning and evening charts.

Thank you!
anthy_stl [ATT] yahoo [DOTT] com

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/9291220474
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Laureen said...

I'd like to have the My Morning & Evening Charts.

lmarston AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/talonsmom731/statuses/9334607369
talonsmom731 at gmail dot com

Jennifer T. said...

I entered the petite couture GC giveaway.

maureen73 said...

I have three little ones ages 2, 3 and 4 and these charts are FANTASTIC! I really like the My Reward original charts which can be personalized. Very unique and just what we need in our house....
maureenruble@yahoo.com

maureen73 said...

I subscribe via email #2
maureenruble@yahoo.com

maureen73 said...

I follow your blog!
maureenruble@yahoo.com

maureen73 said...

I follow your blog #2
maureenruble@yahoo.com

«Oldest ‹Older   1 – 200 of 270   Newer› Newest»