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House Fairy Fun!
We are having so much fun with the House Fairy and so are our
little ones. Leaving clutter free and fun surprises from the House
Fairy is a great way to keep those little one motivated and enthused.
We asked you to share some of your surprise ideas and you sent in
some great ones! You are so creative!
Here are some recommendations from FlyLady for some Fun Surpises:
http://flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_student_Kit.asp
http://flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_pencil.asp
http://flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_Timer.asp
http://flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_bracelet.asp
http://flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_flypack.asp
My kids really enjoy Trident gum, so they each get one pack some times when the House Fairy comes to visit. Homemade "passes" to the beach or the park also work well for us too. Often times they request money to save up for special treats for themselves (that tshirt they really wanted, a new pack of cards to go with their Yu-gi-oh or Pokemon decks, or a new game for the gameboy - all of these things have proper places to keep them so having more is not a big issue especially since they are working to earn the reward).
-Laura in FL
Tokens are a nice way to avoid candy and more tiny toys. Poker chips or stickers can be collected and cashed in for rewards. Rewards can be almost anything- play dates, movies from library, trips to park, phone time for older kids. We even have a surprise jar so kids can select a paper and get that treat. Some of those are candy or ice cream treats or special time alone with one parent. The poker chips are bagged up and tied with a ribbon for recycling the next time she comes! A simple chart keeps track of progress and past rewards. The younger kids like to look back and remember what they earned!
I've only been using the House Fairy system for a little over a month, and I'm not opposed to bite-size candy treats once in a while, but what really works for me is using the House Fairy to reward them with things I would have bought for them anyway (e.g. a pair of house slippers my daughter had been wanting, some fancy bubble bath, a CD wallet for my son's CD collection that is now just on top of his dresser, new sandals for this summer). :D They're just tickled to get them, and I'm glad to see them motivated to keep things neat with something I would have just given them outright. Hope that helps!
The House Fairy leaves notes and gift cards at my house (Blockbuster, minigolf, movies, Dunkin Donuts, Cold Stone Creamery, etc.)
Perhaps the House Fairy could deliver special coupons for everything from free hugs (renewable) to trips to the park, library, video rental store,etc.
MM
My son LOVES to read, so I buy inexpensive books from the dollar store. I have also left arts and crafts goodies because he is very creative and enjoys making things. I canÕt wait to hear of other ideas!
Fly Baby in OKC
The House Fairy could leave a coupon redeemable for 30 minutes of one-on-one time with Mom or Dad.
Flybaby N
Surprises:
* coupons for privileges i.e., extend bedtime by 30 minutes on a non-school night, inviting a friend to a picnic on blanket on the living room floor, choosing a special menu for dinner, going to the public library with a parent and no siblings, etc.
* games from the dollar store that encourage cooperative play - jacks, marbles
* art supplies - decorative edge scissors, a pen with metallic ink, GLITTER!!!!
* dress up clothing/jewelry from Goodwill
* for older children who don't need immediate rewards: my favorite, a mystery reward. Start with a photograph of the reward (an object or a place to visit) or a hand-drawn picture of the reward. Cut the picture into 4 to 6 pieces (this depends upon how many rewards are given and the time between rewards - - don't want to make it too long for the child to gather all the pieces). The child gets one piece of the picture for each reward. After all the pieces are earned, the child gets whatever the picture shows.
Hope this helps.
Sue in Arizona
Here's my suggestions for the House Fairy treasures:- $5 gift certificate for ice cream at Brusters, Dairy Queen, or whatever ice cream place is a treat in your area
- refillable gift card or "credit card" for older kids and teens - add a dollar or two here and there onto the child's card and have the house fairy leave a note saying the money is already deposited for spending as the child desires
- assuming they will be at home soon after placing out the treat - a bowl of fresh, cut up fruit, or their favorite fruit (better than candy!)
- patches and pins for on their clothes
- a movie rented from the library with a note to watch with the family that evening
- new pair of shoelaces - they come in all kinds of fun colors and designsThanks for listening!
~ Cara
Dear FlyLady,
My 6-year-old son enjoys his visits from the House Fairy. For the spring he is receiving sidewalk chalk and inexpensive outdoor toys. We have occasionally done a favorite candy.
He is in kindergarten and learning to write, but he does not enjoy writing yet. Last week, he asked me if he could write a note for the House Fairy. Of course! I said, thinking how sweet he wants to say thank you or something like that. Here is what he wrote:Dear House Fairy,Please leve me $.What I find funny is that when we offered him a dollar a week to clean up his room he never did it. The fun of the house fairy Š plus never knowing when she will show up Š makes all the difference. Now my teenage daughter wants to know if the House Fairy can visit her, too.
My four year old likes to watch movies as he falls asleep. I know this isn't good for him, but about once a month, the house fairy lets him watch a mommy approved movie. The house fairy also will leave passes to go the library or to the park or maybe even a day out with just mom or dad.
Dear FLYLADY,
16 year olds always love a few dollars here and there for gas money! Works wonders with ours!Fluttering in Bama
Housefairy can leave fresh fruit for a special treat(make Leanne happy), an educational toy or book and my personal favorite is a "coupon" for a special evening (great for Family Day~ make FlyLady happy) for the movies, bowling, a trip to get some ice cream, rollerskating or whatever you know that your child enjoys. Mine likes a trip to the playground, and when they clean up their room you want to reward your little ones with things that they will enjoy!
Hi Flylady and Flycrew,
The HouseFairy has left my 5yr old DD cute hair clips/bows, art projects, and art supplies. The hair thingys is something she would have received anyway and she loves getting new ones and looking/feeling pretty. The art projects are great for spending quality time together and the finished products can be given away as gifts.
Fluttering in CA
My kids like the little notebooks, they are 25 cents each at Walmart. They draw or write in them, especially in the car.
How about coupons to do something fun with Mom or Dad, such as making cookies or going for a walk?
Debbie B
Our House Fairy brought the children movies, cleaned out their aquariums and gave them money to buy fish, bowling passes, and she will be bringing them skating passes and things like that.
Sunshine
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