If you build it, they will deposit money into it.
As a fun way to kick off winter break this year, I made a breakfast menu for each of the boys, and when it was time for breakfast, I called them all into the kitchen and handed them out. I said, “Hi, I’m Kelly, and I’ll be your waitress this morning. Would you like me to tell you about our specials?”
The boys were all smiles.
They each got to choose their own breakfast just like a real restaurant. I gave them paper and crayons to color on while they waited, and I checked back with them to see if breakfast was to their liking.
I was kidding with them about leaving me a tip for good service, so I scribbled the word ‘Tips’ on a mason jar and set it on the counter where they could see. They scrounged up some loose change and dropped it in the jar. They said things like, “Good job, Mom.” or “We’ll be coming here again.”
I put the menus away for another day and pushed the tip jar to the back of the counter.
The next day, after lunch, T said, “That was a really good turkey sandwich, Mom”, then he walked over to the tip jar, plunked in a few more coins and went downstairs to play with Legos.
Over the next few weeks, that jar has collected more and more coins and even a dollar bill!
Sometimes, us moms complain that ours is a thankless job. But, lo! A simple jar! Next time I feel sorry for myself, I’m going to use the money to buy myself some M&M’s.
14 comments
okay, i know i don’t comment much because google reader makes my life easy..but i had to click over and say GENIUS!
i’m totally starting that today.
that IS genius!!! i’m likin’ this idea alot…
Love your menu! It’s done “Kelly style” which is to say, all professional looking sparing no expense. What a fun idea and a great memory AND the benefits just keep adding up. Leave the jar out maybe you could send yourself on a vacation if you save.
What a great idea! Do you have enough menu’s for outsiders?
You are such a fun mom! And what great kids you have.
That is the cutest idea, what a good mom you are!
Firstly, you are SUCH a cool Mom!! I might have to borrow your idea, I think my boys would love it. However, I really wish we lived in a tipping society, because I could sure do with a tip jar that got a few coins plunked into it for appreciation! We don’t tip here in NZ, so my boys wouldn’t understand the concept – bummer!!
Nice!!! And I bet your kids didn’t even have anything to complain about since they picked it. I love it. I think I’m going to make a tip jar. Do you think that makes them appreciate your cooking more? I bet so. You’re awesome.
That is so creative. You are a wonderful Mother.
you are all kinds of awesome.
What an awesome idea!!!! If you wouldn’t mind, I’d love to see a copy of your menu.
Now can you upload that menu file to your etsy shop so we can all get our hands on it? That is such a fun idea, but I am too lazy to put a menu together.
Seriously woman? Are you for real? Just when I think you can’t get anymore creative – BAM – menu for the kids. I am constantly impressed. But you kinda make me feel like the lamest mom on the planet. I love it. Absolutely love it. I want to be you when I grow up.
You are such a fun, fun, mom. I think it just about the funnest, (is that a word?) thing I’ve ever heard of. Once at our house, Josh set up a whole little restaurant in the TV room, Tato and I were in the playroom, and Josh kept coming and getting things from the playroom. We’d ask him what he was building but he wouldn’t tell us. Finally he invited us in and he’d worked up a litte restaurant. He’d taked chairs in, but not the table, he used the ottoman for that, It was set with place settings and napkins I can’t remember if we had menu’s but I know he told us the specials. It was so darling. He even had the cash register in there so we could pay after. I hope I thought to leave him a tip, the play money though.
I think it’s so important that a mother ‘enjoy’ her children, not just love them. It’s builds confidence in them. If adults can enjoy them then they must be pretty cool. Good going Mom.
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