24 Hour Strike!

Today the terms of my "mother" contract were renegotiated with my children successfully. My Union Leader (Bill) helped mediate the process. Effective Contract Negotiations will always include the following:

I. Know what your goals are and prepare a strategy:
What do you want. (*** This was easy! Children who do not whine, fuss and tantrum whenever asked to do something they do not wish to do.) What can you reasonably get: ***(Children who most often do not whine, fuss and tantrum whenever asked to do something they do not wish to do.) Identify and understand your strongest points and particularly why the other side needs you.***(They like to eat, wear clean clothes and get picked up from school. They also enjoy bedtime stories, homemade cookies and play dates!) Use your strong points and the reasons the other side need you as leverage to get what you want/need. ***(This took place during the "renegotiating" phase, and using these techniques the Parent Union successfully negotiated the following: No more tantrums when asked to do things they know they should ie: pick up possessions, put away clothes (washed by the Parent Union), as well as a sundry of other chores as agreed upon. The family rule of work first, play second should be honored. The new contract is currently on a 2 week probationary period, after which time a review will be necessary and rewards will be doled out liberally for holding up the terms.