Is there a parent who has never once struggled with creatively and/or objectively serving up the right punishment to fit the crime? For a definitely post- Carol-Brady-era solution that’s as kitschy as it is clever, consider having your kids take a spin on…

THE WHEEL OF DREADED CONSEQUENCES! (yes, really)

Leave it to our neighbors north of the border to come up with a disciplinary roulette wheel. We have to admit our eyebrows were a bit raised on this one at first, but now that we’ve played with it (and tried it out on the kids) we’re converts.

Here’s the basic principle:

You get a board with colored disks that you can customize by theme (i.e. Excessive Arguing). Then you fill in the the wheel with cute wedge-shaped stickers carrying different “consequences,” like “clean the other person’s room.” (You can also make up your own, with the kids’ help). Hang it in a visible area, and when a child misbehaves, it becomes established that they’ll have to take spin at the wheel.

Interesting benefit– the Wheel makes you less of the bad guy (imagine) and more the impartial judge. In fact, you can share in the kids’ suspense as the wheel slows to a stop, and even sympathize with the result.

Of course, the Wheel Can Reward, Too.

Try it to reward good behavior too: allow your kids to spin for good deeds through options like “trip to the movies” or “enjoy your favorite dinner.” However, we will share with you the Wheel makers’ disclaimer: you ARE still the parent. The idea is simply to use the Wheel of Dreaded Consequences as a fun and very unique tool to help you raise them right.

The Wheel of Dreaded Consequences is from New Attitude Designs,of Prince George, BC, Canada. It’s $14.95 plus $5 S&H to the U.S. (where 95% of orders happen to originate). Recommended for use with kids age 5 and up.

Take a sample spin at www.consequences.ca

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Sincerely,

Executive Moms