Monday, January 04, 2010

Taking Things a Bit Far...Then Again, Whatever Gets the Job Done

I long ago gave up making New Year's Resolutions because I got tired of kicking myself when I failed to keep them after the first week of January. Last year Isaac resolved to keep his room clean. To his credit he was quite consistent about it until October when I made him start doing his own laundry. Ten months is fairly impressive in my book, especially where teenagers and clean rooms are concerned.

This year it seems my children have gone a step further in the whole resolution business and not only made resolutions but entered into contractual agreement regarding the cleanliness of their respective rooms. Allow me to share the contract they drew up and then presented to me requesting I witness their signatures and affix my own.

I, _________, hereby agree to the Clean Room Contract and all of its rules and regulations listed below.
  • I must keep room clean from January 4, 2010-January 4, 2011. x____
  • First person to dirty said room must adhere to the consequences listed below.
I must relinquish my cell phone to the winner for one hour. x____
When winner has received the phone they may do with it what they will, restricted by the following:
  • No breaking the phone
  • No inappropriate use of the phone (texts, pics, etc)
  • No deleting anything from the phone (texts, contacts, etc)
  • No hiding said phone after one hour of winning x_____
Exceptions
  • You may have a slightly disorderly room for two days at a time but no more than three times.
  • Grace periods may not be consecutive
  • Calypso's bean bag chair may be used as a clothing tree, but it must look neat x_____(C only)
Definitions
  • The mother of the house shall determine what "slightly disorderly" looks like. x_____(mother only)
Witness signature________________Date________
Room Owner signature_________________Date________
Room Owner Signature_________________Date________


This ought to be interesting, don't you think?


16 comments:

furiousBall said...

whoa... wait bean bag chair as a clothes tree? having trouble picturing that

Commander Zaius said...

Tried that last year with my son and it worked about three weeks. He started some activity, which I can't remember, and due to its "demands" the contract died.

This year since he has a fancy new phone with all the bells and whistles if he fails to do his chores I have a new toy for a week.

Not that I actually want a cell phone.

choochoo said...

Raising future lawyers? lol

Craver Vii said...

That came from THEM?? I'm impressed!

Hilary said...

Too funny. I had one question as I read along which you then answered with "The mother of the house shall determine what "slightly disorderly" looks like." It should indeed be interesting. You have cool kidlets. :)

Craig said...

Wow. . . What Craver said. . .

I'm impressed!

Anonymous said...

Blimey! Me too!

Suldog said...

Well, it appears they're willing to give you much more control over them than they might think. Go for it! You should be able to get all sorts of goodies out of this.

~Dragonfly~* said...

As I read it... the only real incentive is to gain control of the other person's cell phone.... not sure why that is such an incentive... but what happens if they both succeed? Is there an ultimate prize for the winner and not just a consequence for the loser?

I love that they came up with this on their own.... very creative.. oh... and as a former bean bag chair owner... I totally get the whole bean bag chair as a clothes horse thing!!! I've graduated to an antique ironing board!!! :)

Do provide updates!!!

secret agent woman said...

Ha! Kids are often far harsher on themselves and each other than their parents.

Anonymous said...

Awesome. I like how you retained power of cleanliness standards...

NYD said...

Hey kiddo!
I know the holiday season has passed and it looks as if you have survived in true lime fashion.
Just dropping by to wish you a happy and healthy New Year.
I can't show that contract to my wife...I'd never get my cell phone back...lol
Cheers!
NYD isn't dead...he just smells funny...

Ananda girl said...

Ooooh... I love it! I will be interested to see how it pans out. Keep us posted.

S said...

and if they dont get it right this time may they be blessed with a roommate like Dianas in college!

Love you Miss!

Saz said...

good luck with that .....(it didnt work for me)lol

Jocelyn said...

At least the consequences carry weight! I love it.

And I need a beanbag chair to use as an ass-tree.