The Contract

I hoped - in vain- for your years that my children would see the connection between all of the blessings they have in their life (from God, some via their parents) and the responsibilities they have. I'm still hoping.

This Summer I decided to make some of that connection explicit with a Summer Contract for Ceily and Eddie.

Here is the text of the contracts:

This Summer, my parents will allow me to:
Stay up to 9pm
Stay up to 11pm reading
Go tubing in the boat at least 3 times
Have at least 3 sleepovers   
Go to Grandma camp
Go to Carowinds!
Go to Movies twice
Go to the beach with my cousins
Go to the beach at least 3 times 
Go to the pool at least 5 times  
Play in the mud (already completed)

In return, I promise to:
Listen to, respect and obey my parents
Be kind to my siblings
Help around the house as asked (or not asked!)
Run a mile, 4 times a week until I get to a 10-minute mile (2 times a week thereafter)
Do worksheets as provided (maximum of 1 per day, 5 per week) – and work with Dad until they are right…
Read 4 substantial books (require parents’ approval)    

The worksheets are math worksheets, etc. I'm using to get them solid on some of the things that slipped by them last year and prepare them for next year.

The contracts have been signed and so far they're helping. Eddie's reading a real book which hasn't been his natural inclination. They go running with me. They've done their math worksheets. We still have constant reminders about everything else...