Round-Penning Kids (or Husbands)

[linda]

WEll, I can't take credit for this one--but it is an idea with promise. A horse trainer on TV was talking about using this on his kids--and, actually, it is very similiar to how Monte Roberts helped all his foster kids.

Okay, you ask daughter to wash the dishes, you get lip service about how it isn't her turn, it isn't fair, she is abused, etc. Instead of getting mad, you say, "And, when you finish washing the dishes, clean the bathroom." And if whining continues, "Then clean your bedroom when you finish the first two tasks." The guy describing this technique said that his horse-wise daughter asked if she was being round-penned (put back to work if the desired behavior wasn't demonstrated.) She then washed the dishes and cleaned the bathroom (she was smart enough to quit and ask the question after the first additional assignment.)

I think this does have real promise if used skillfully. The story goes that Monte Roberts had a huge field of some nasty bushes that always needed cut/dug out. They always grew back, so it made good kid-training tasks. When he no longer was raising foster kids, rumor is he sprayed the bushes and took them out with heavy equipment. They had served their purpose. He didn't have to get mad, just sent the kid to the briar patch to work. It sounds awfully effective to me.
Linda

[tricia]

I can guarantee that this type of "training" is VERY effective. We have practiced it in one form or another for years. Both my kids know that there is a line that they DO NOT cross. Smart attitude and arguing gets you more chores, usually of the really bad kind. We also have a brick pile out in the back pasture. It has been relocated countless times.

[Littljoe]

Yeah, that works, all right. But just a little heads-up about Monty Roberts--I have no way of knowing what's true and what isn't, but a lot of what he says in his book and other publications is *very* emphatically disputed by a lot of his relatives, including brother, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends. I would say, do it if it works for you, but not because Monty Roberts did it, because he might have and then again he might not have.

[linda]

I take them ALL with a very big grain of salt. Actually, I take just about everything with lots of salt.... Nothing is usually just exactly as it seems. The idea is great though--whether or not my husband is trainable remains to be seen, however.

I think that what you said about Monte Roberts is probably very true about everyone. Our own memories of events do not necessarily match the memories of others. Sometimes it is intentional because it makes a better story or because it reflects you in a better light, sometimes, it is just how memory works.

However, I know for sure that MY MEMORY is always correct and that it is the memory of others that is always in error ;D (And if you believe that, I have some nice beachfront property in Arizona to sell you.....)
Linda

[Chrisnstar]

LOL, I loff it! Too bad I didn't know about this idea when I was raising two sons. I can use it on John though. I'm not sure if Ray would ever "get" it.'


chris

[Mags Mom]

Our horse pasture is small, 2 acres max if you use creative math and the main natural ground cover is "rocks" which errupt year round due to freeze/thaw.

When the girls were little and would fuss we would all go out and fill the wheelbarrow with rocks. The more they fussed, the more wheelbarrows full of rocks they would collect.

It worked, I recall only using that tactic 2 or 3 times. bad news is my pasture is full of rocks.

[tricia]

Do you all *really* think it could work on husbands? I could just imagine MY DH if I tried this on him, lolol.

I know it works on our kids, makes a world of difference in their attitudes and work ethic!