Riding Herd.

I have a couple of complaints about my (dear, sweet, beloved) children.

1. They watch too much TV. I am partially to blame, but Kate also knows how to turn it on and find whatever she wants.
2. Those two don't lift a finger around here.

These kinds of problems are the kind that really get me thinking, you know, like REAL parents do. I came up with a little strategy. We met together as a family, and I kindly expressed my frustrations, and then presented the girls with their new chore lists. The deal is this: Each chore completed buys them 10 minutes of TV. If they want to watch Spongebob, then they must make their bed, put their clothes away, and brush their teeth (for example). I made a little side deal with Kate, who has more chores because she is older. If she completes chores but doesn't use the TV time, I will pay her 25 cents per chore at the end of the week. Kate is the kid who loves money, so she is super-jazzed, but also surprisingly worldly since she asked, "You are paying me in cash, right? Because I don't want you writing me a check." Unfounded suspicions, I might add, since I haven't bounced a check since college.

So far, it has been pretty awesome. Chores are getting done, and when they sit down to watch a show, they know that it is only going to be one show so they better enjoy it. Also, they are playing together more instead of just zoning out in front of their zillionth episode of iCarly.

And, yeah, I'm a real jerk because even when I'm using the DVR, commercials count.