Appropriate Punishment?

[FireTigeris]

I'd cut the cords off the heater and lock a plastic box around the thermostat.

Also she would get off this time but next time she gets dropped off at school when its good and convenient for me, if that's 3:30 AM... too bad.

 

[redhen]

Ooh..i know what i do..and i never have problems with my kids getting up for school.
If i have to wake you up so you wont miss the bus.. or even if you miss the bus. You go to bed very very very early that night... because you must not be getting enough sleep, if you cant get up in the morning.

Lights out VERY early. And also... for that day.. you are grounded and you have no privledges.. no phone, no t.v., no radio.. nothing.

And..if it continues... then they will be on FULL grounding..with no house privledges (that means EVERYTHING is taken away..and EARLY bed time too...) until they have gotten the message... i dont care if it takes 3 months.(really ).... And i keep it up until they learn that i'm serious... it dosent take long.

Yup..i'm mean. But they catch on quick...

ETA..i have teens..not young kids..thats why i'm tougher on them..)

 

[StupidBird]

Childhood house fires have made me a bit zealous on that bit regarding heaters left alone and all. I look back and wonder how ANY of us makes it through - as teens or as parents of teens.

Things I have found surprizingly effective.

If they were crabby, uncivil, (at their worst stage, swearing, back talking, etc.) obviously, they weren't getting enough sleep. Off to bed a half hour earlier! Arguing just proved my point - say, you must really need extra sleep as arguementative as you are! Lights off, electronics off, etc.

In high school, which was a 3 -4 mile, safer walk than is usual around here - well, better start walking. Earlier, well, see above.

My DS went through a stage with very strong cologne/scents. I once found 3 tubes of the AXE junk in his bookbag. Tried many things. "If I can smell it 3 feet away, too strong, take a shower". Had to graduate to "If you come home smelling like that, I will assume you are covering up pot or alcohol and punish you accordingly." That last one worked. In fact, alot of the things worked much better when my health improved to the point I could make what I say stick. But I wander...

We did a trip to the ER room on a busy night just so my soon to drive teens could observe. I would like to add to that measure, some time spent in the local traffic court observing. It made quite an impact on my teens, but alas, they were also appearing in front of the judge. Very sobering, small town judges are serious stuff.

 

[redhen]

ooh..and as for the heater thing...
that kid would be doing hard hard work..and ALOT of it to re-pay me for all that wasted heat/electricity.
I'd warn them ONE more time... and tell them exactly what will happen.
Your kids are older..not young children. There is no reason for them to act that way. They are just being selfish and lazy...and i'd treat them accordingly..
Threaten them that they'll have to come live with me ... that should work. I'm a meanie.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
is getting into trouble all I have to do to be locked in your basement?

 

[redhen]

Quote:
is getting into trouble all I have to do to be locked in your basement?

http://kingtaboo2.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/smiley.jpg

you can come stay with me anytime sweetie...

I'll be nice to you. I promise...

 

[Wifezilla]

My mom made we walk. We lived 10 miles away from the school. I got there around lunch

For my oldest son, if the alarm went off and he didn't get up, I opened his door and hit him with a spray from the super soaker. I only had to do that twice

 

[Boyd]

Quote:
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it! Not sure if I can actually do that but man... that would wake everyone up

 

[Wifezilla]

Tough love my friend. Tough love. It's good for them!

 

[PineappleMama]

I hate to do the "Back in my day thing" as it makes me feel really old... but back in my day it was 100% my job to get myself up and ready and to the bus stop, a good mile away, rain or shine. Lemme tell you there were days I got to sit through school soaked to my skivvies. I can recall one particularly cruddy one in second grade. *shiver*

Anywho, point being that if I could get myself up and going on my own at the ripe old age of 6 then by golly others can too. I can understand an occassional lapse. I have trouble sleeping myself, so I understand. But, that should be a fluke moment.

I'd go with the no entertainment, bore them to death route, combined with chores that'll have them tuckered. So that bedtime will be welcome, sleep will come easy, and waking in the morning won't be so hard. A logical choice.

As to the heater roaring while the window is open... sounds like someone needs to pay their share (four people in our house so 1/4 the bill per person?) of the electric/gas (whichever is your furnace) so they can understand the value of keeping the dang windows shut in the freaking winter!!

Just my very opinionated two cents... *passes salt shaker*