Have you 'bean' Obedient?

Never knew there was such a thing as 'obedient beans'?
Well, here they are!

Lately we have felt like the kids just don't want to be obedient. We started counting but it seemed like every time we asked them to do something we had to ask a couple of times or start counting, one, two, three. It has gotten really tiring for us. So last night we pulled out the 'obedient beans.' To introduce the beans, we had a Family Home Evening lesson on Obedience. We started with singing Nephi's Courage from the Children's Primary Song book. After that we read and talked about Nephi's Obedience to his earthly father and his heavenly father. Brian talked with the kids about what it is to obey and why we like them to obey. After that he pulled out the 'obedience beans.' Each of the children got to try one. Dad asked if it was yummy. They all agreed and let us know that they wanted more. We told them that they could have more when they are obedient. We then put it to the test asking the kids to clean up the toys in the family room. It worked, almost like a charm! After that the kids started to look for things that they could do to earn 'obedient beans.' We decided that they could have them some times when they do nice things on their own but mostly they are for quickly obeying. Each one was dying to have us ask them to do something. After doing it they would come stand right in front of us and just wait hoping that they could earn a bean. So far it has helped. When they don't quickly obey we remind them about the obedient beans and let them know that they are not being obedient. Hopefully these beans will work for a while. It is nice to have kids happy and eager to help out. Now we can asked the kids, '"Have you bean obedient?" (Yes, even #3 Girl understands this idea!)

*Note from 1/2014 We are still using this on our toddlers.  It is wonderful!  We are able to leave the on the counter and they help themselves to the 'obedient beans' after they have done things quickly without complaining.