I remember getting my ears pierced when I was in the 4th grade. I also remember my fear of losing an earring had me over tightening the backs, and then I got an infection and the earring back ended up INSIDE my ear lobe. Then I remember standing in the kitchen while my mother used a needle and lots of rubbing alcohol trying to pick the earring back out. Then I spent months wearing tiny hoop earrings until everything healed. Uck. er…Yuck. Was that too much information?

A little over a year ago, we were trying to find something that would motivate Brooke to finish with potty training. She was simply being lazy….so we struck a deal. Have no accidents for 30 days and you can get your ears pierced. It was all the motivation she needed and 30 days later, we went to Claire’s and she got her ears pierced.

Riley was intrigued by the idea of getting her ears pierced as well….so we struck a deal with her: keep your room clean for 30 days and you can get your ears pierced too!

She made it 19 days. One night her room was a disaster- I told her she could clean it the next day. The next night, her room was still a mess. I told her one last chance- if she cleaned it first thing in the morning, she could stay on schedule to get her ears pierced. If she left it a mess, she’d have to start her count all over again. She left it a mess. Told me she didn’t want her ears pierced after all.

For some reason, last month she was re-energized. She cleaned her room and asked if she could try again. I think her motivation was that her brother was getting braces….and once she realized she could get her earrings before he got his braces- well that was all the drive needed.

She made it!