I started the marble system yesterday and it worked great. To bed last night without a fight and off to school this morning without a fight. My adopted son is 5 and every morning for school, it has been a struggle. I am completely drained of all energy by the time I drop him off at school. But, this morning he was awarded 5 marbles for getting ready and leaving the house without a struggle.
Also, at night it was a stuggle to get him into bed for school. Went to bed without a problem and was awarded marbles. Once all the marbles are in the smiley cup, he will get a prize. Don't know what that is yet, but I will make sure it is worth it to him. He goes today for his ADHD evaluation, but I am hoping to get his behavior under control without having to use meds.
I'm sure there are going to be bumps in the road, but seeing the results of this and him have the joy of putting his own marbles in his smiley cup is worth a million dollars to me.
The neat thing about the marble system, is it takes the "personal" aspect out of the argument. The marble becomes the focus of the behaviors both yours and his - instead of a power struggle, it's simply a black or white decision. There is no arguing. Either they do as they are asked and get the marbles or they don't. Neat system.