a parenting triumph

Introducing...

Ruby Violet Blueberry Tempe Blue.

Can you guess who named our new Betta fish?

Tempe has been working so hard to earn this fish--her very first pet!--and she finally got him on Monday!

Back in March, the primary president in our ward talked to me about Tempe's behavior in primary. She was goofing off, getting out of her chair and running around, and collapsing in tears every week. I was mortified. Nobody wants their kid to be "that kid". We immediately started talking to her about it at home and trying to find a way to help her change her behavior.

We started a simple reward system at home.

We switched her sacrament meeting snack from honey nut cheerios to cashews and string cheese.

We promised her she could get a fish after 2 months of consistent good behavior in primary, and Jason drew a fish on her hand every week to remind her.

But what really made the difference for her was walking to church.

I really think it was inspiration. We had been praying to know how we could help her, and one day when I wasn't even thinking about it, the idea of walking her to church popped into my head out of nowhere.

Walking to church gets some of her energy out, gives her some time alone with Mom or Dad, and stimulates her just enough that she is ready to learn when she gets to primary.

I don't want to jinx myself, so I'll stop talking now, but it's amazing what a difference walking has made!