Dogs and rewards

Theo and Emile* have a new dog. She's called Miley and she doesn't like Luna. Luna is the family cat and she is having to be protected from Miley who likes to chase her. Jasmine thinks Luna should be put on a high shelf so that Miley can't get her (which she told Karen on the phone - Emile and Theo's mum that is), but of course this isn't a great long-term solution. Theo thinks they should get rid of Luna. Very Long-term, but not very fair seeing as though Luna has been around longer than both he and Emile.....
Jasmine and Ben went to Theo's party this weekend just gone and met Miley for the first time. They think she is great, as they now think all dogs are (as long as they let Ben and Jas call the shots that is, and don't jump at them). A conversation with Jasmine yesterday went like this:

Jasmine: Mum, I double dare you to get me a dog!
Mum: You really want a dog?
Jasmine: Yes. And if you don't give me one I'm not going to give you this money (she opens her hand to reveal a 5p and a 1p)
Mum: I think I'll manage somehow. We are NOT getting a dog.
Jasmine: D'ohhhhh

* Theo and Emile are Nick's little brothers

Today I decided to try and tackle the playroom, which has been getting dustier and messier by the minute it seems. I called the kids to me and made a suggestion.......if they tidy the room properly (and they know how to do this by now), then I will give them a whole 5p each which they can put towards some sweeties from the shop by the school after school on friday. And if they want to buy more sweeties, they can help mummy with some other chores throughout the rest of the week. Personally I think this is a great way of introducing them to the idea of working for what you want, and instilling in them a sense of resposibility (or you can call it shameless bribery. I prefer the first option). Ben, in his never ending quest to improve upon the rules or conditions of any game or challenge, made a suggestion too. "And if we tidy up without you asking does that mean we can have 10p?" He's so funny, and so enterprising :-) I thought this sounded like a splendid idea and agreed that if he did some tidying up without being told, he could most definitely have 10p for it. Personally, I'm not convinced that even the lure of 10p will be enough to actually motivateeither of them to tidy up of their own free will.....we'll see.....