Raise your hand if your kids are coming to you daily asking you to resolve an argument for them? Who gets to go first in a game, who has to put away a game they both played with, who’s taking a shower first, who gets to eat the last orange and it goes on and on… To an adult, these things are trivial and frankly, it’s a pain to have to decide for them! However, to a child, these things are important and can ruin an afternoon!
Enter Pocket Referee!!
The Pocket Referee is a gold coin that the kids pass back and forth. When a dispute arises, whomever holds the coin has a decision to make. They may either keep the coin and let the other person have their way, or the may choose to have their own way on this dispute, in which case, they have to give the coin to the other person.
So, as an example, let’s say my kids are arguing over who gets to choose what they watch on t.v. If Samantha has the Pocket Referee, she can choose to give Benjamin the coin and then she gets to pick what they watch. OR… she can keep the Pocket Referee and then Benjamin will get to choose what they watch. This way she can use the Pocket Referee on something she feels is more important.
I think it’s a great invention! One of those, “Why didn’t I think of that!?” inventions. :) It’s so simple, yet brilliant!
The coin comes with a little bag and a carabiner so your child can keep it on his or her belt buckle at all times. This makes it super convenient, and the kids like to have it hanging as a reminder to the other one that they have it!
At first, the kids were still coming to me trying to get me to choose sides and I would just remind them to use the Pocket Referee.
I no longer have to take sides and have one kid mad at me for choosing the other person. No more, “It’s not fair!”… everyone has the same chance to get ‘their way’. And, now Momma’s happier, which makes everyone happier! :)
I highly recommend you check out the Pocket Referee. It really is worth it!
I received a product in order to write my review as part of a promotion with Living Your Moment . All opinions are mine and mine alone. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255 concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.
This is awesome. I have a 15 month old and a 3 year old- they are just starting to fight over things…..I would think there needs to be guidelines depending on the parenting style you have. As I think this could get away from the concept of sharing, doing your own “work” (montessori), etc.
Thanks!!!
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Nicole @ Some Call It Natural Reply:
May 18th, 2012 at 3:51 PM
I totally agree. :) This doesn’t replace parenting, just replaces you having to decide who gets the last apple. :) I had to step in a bit when I noticed my older child was ‘hoarding’ the referee so that she could use it on something really important! She didn’t even know what she was saving it for… just wanted to make sure she used it at the right time. lol Finally, I told her she needed to stop hoarding it. Do you have any ideas on how to make it work for your needs?
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What an interesting concept! I figured you flipped the coin every time to see who won, but I think the handing it back and forth might work pretty well for certain arguments!
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Nicole @ Some Call It Natural Reply:
May 18th, 2012 at 5:47 PM
I assumed you would flip the coin each time too, until I got it and read more about it. :) I love it!
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I love this idea! I have an 11 year old and a 12 year old so they are constantly disagreeing about something! haha!
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Nicole @ Some Call It Natural Reply:
May 18th, 2012 at 5:51 PM
Tell me about it! My oldest are 8 and 10 and argue over the silliest things… it’s going to end sometime, right?? lol
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