Black Market Bike Buy Back

cause that's how I roll [#BMBBB]

I was just informed that my daughter, Nola, has once again left her bike out on the driveway (I didn’t ask if she used the kick stand, I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt). Since Nola was old enough to ride a bike around the neighborhood without full-time adult supervision, I’ve been on her to park her bike, kick stand out, in the garage when she’s done riding; not out of fear of the bike being stolen, but out of fear that she won’t learn to appreciate the things she owns/cares for.

So, instead of just grounding her from using the bike, I thought I’d create a little game in hopes she’ll actually learn something from being punished:

Introduction

When you leave your belongings outside of designated storage areas, unattended, you greatly increase the chances of your belongings of being stolen and/or being damaged. On the evening of 25MAY2011, you left your bike out, unattended, on the driveway and it was stolen; stolen by a thief so swift, so cunning and so handsome that he is only known as Dad.

Dad is a reasonable thief (don’t plan on meeting any of these throughout life), so he will allow you to buy back your bike, but at higher black market prices.

Rules & Agreement

1. Starred (*) chores are mandatory and must be completed daily to be eligible to earn Chore Credits. However, these chores DO NOT earn you any credits.
2. All non-starred chores are voluntary. You will not earn any credits for any chore that isn’t completed or completed to standard.
3. The standard will be set, determined and evaluated by Dad AND ONLY Dad.
4. Your bike will cost $100. You will be compensated for completing chores in Chore Credits. Chore credits are equal to $0.50.
5. In Dad’s absense, Mom can deem chores completed. However, Chore Credit earned through Mom are only valued at $0.25.
6. Any whining, crying and/or back-talk will result in a loss of chore credits for that day. Mom or Dad will determine what is whining, crying or back-talk.
7. Asking questions about standards is allowed and suggested; as is self-directed quiet time (when you feel you are going to whine, cry or back-talk).
8. All rules are subject to change by Mom and/or Dad. Rule changes will go into effect the day following the change.

The Chores

Nola was briefed about the situation this morning. As of right now she is up in her room…probably NOT cleaning it up. We’ll see, maybe she’ll never get her bike back.

I’ll keep you updated.

*****UPDATE: 12JUL2011*****

I totally forgot to include the agreement which I made my daughter read and sign. It’s the best part. Here it is:

I, _____[insert name]_____ understand that I left my bike out unattended and my Dad stole it. I will have to earn it back via Chore Credits. I also understand that the Black Market Bike Buy Back is voluntary; there is no requirement that I complete this task. However, I also understand that if I choose not to participate in the Black Market Bike Buy Back I forfeit the privilege to operate a bicycle that is purchased by my parents or stored in, on or around property owned by my parents.

Nola has made a dent in her effort to purchase back her bike. She’s been really busy this summer, so the dent isn’t as big as it could be.

Tags: black market bike buy back, bmbbb, life lessons, parenting, responsibility

This entry was posted on 28 May 2011 at 12:17 and is filed under Family, Humor, Parenting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.