The "Get Along" Shirt

I believe in creative punishments when dealing with kids.  I would never do anything to hurt my children, but I believe that the punishment should fit the crime.  I believe in a good ole' fashioned spanking now and then too, but that is a last resort.  Mind you, I do not have to punish my kids often...they are GREAT kids.  I feel lucky that they are so well behaved and I am told often how wonderful they are, but they are kids and every so often it just so happens that we have to be "mean" parents.  I tell Caleb and Emma when this happens, that I am sorry I have to be "mean", but they always tell me that I am not.  I think they understand that sometimes mommy and daddy have to be tough.

For two week now, since they have been home full time on summer vacation they have been bickering and fighting with each other almost nonstop.  It has been driving us crazy.  I used to make them sit and hold hands, but that didn't seem tough enough this time or creative enough.  I can not take credit for this, as I saw it on Facebook or Pintrest.  But I did love the idea, so I thought, WHY NOT!  

After a long day of them fighting, I finally told them yesterday, that if it continued I was going to make them wear a shirt together.  They both said they would hate this, so I told them that if they didn't want that to happen then they need to stop the fighting and being mean to each other.

So, today, remembering the talk we had, they started in again with each other.  I gave them just one warning.  Then BAM!  The next thing I knew they were fighting again.  Without one word I got up, went to our closet, found a big, old t-shirt that I use for PJ's sometimes and went out the living room.  I called them down stairs.  They came, saw the shirt and both started to cry.  Caleb and Emma were both freaking out a little bit.  You would have thought that I was beating them to death the way they were carrying on!  GOODNESS!  Emma was crying so hard she was almost hyperventilating and Caleb cried so hard he gave himself a bloody nose.  All this before the shirt was even on!!!

So, I had to get Caleb cleaned up and Emma calmed down.  But they were not off the hook.  One of my biggest pet peeves is when parents/teachers/adults warn kids, but there is no follow through.  If I say I am going to do something, then I have to do it otherwise, I loose all authority with them.  

Finally, the shirt was on.  Told them that they had to be in it for 10 minutes.  I took a picture, which also made them mad.  Then they had to go sit on the couch.   

 Don't they just look thrilled!!!

They sat down on the couch and I started the timer.  I told them that when the 10 minutes was done they were free.  And if the fighting continued they would get the shirt again.  I would do it all summer if needed.  Caleb and Emma need to understand that they can not under any circumstance treat each other badly. Not with mean words or physical hurting.  

When the timer went off this is what I found: