Tidy rooms and happy kids!

How many times as a parent have you gone into your kids room, groaned and instantly turned around closing the door behind you. It's hard for kids to keep their rooms tidy, and of course there are so many other things they want to be doing rather than helping with household chores. 

Ever since opening The Hub last April I've noticed transformed behaviour from my own two children.  I've suddenly become beseiged by requests to "help" - no matter how challenging the chore.  Whether tidying, putting shopping away, hauling recycling out to the tubs or hoovering and dusting my children turn into overly helpful minions offering to respond to every command.  My darling son has even offered to help wash the windows, suddenly overcoming his arachnaphobia to do so!
So why this overwhelming desire for my suddenly angelic children to help...it's simple really - Pocket Money! 

Whether iwako, zoobles, filly princess, moshlings or puffles...there is a whole different world out there, which once you've got your head round the new words, is basically made up of pocket money priced toys and collectables that kids just LOVE!  A lot of them work around online games such as Moshimonsters, Webkins and Club Penguin.  These provide online educational games for kids, as well as a gentle introduction into the world of social networking.  There are a great number of them that are simply there "just for fun", such as the Silly Bandz craze that hit last summer and then theres the "simply cute" selection, that include plush toys and collectables from characters such as Hello Kitty.

A year ago our son asked us to stock Club Penguin Cards and Gogo's Crazy Bones when we opened the shop.  We thought, well why not!  Thanks to Jake we now have a thriving toy and collectable section to our business - that he still continues to have a strong influence in.  Nothing makes it onto the shelves unless it's been tried and tested by either Jake (8) or Zoe (3) - and so far they seem to be picking up on the trends before they happen!  However, the best part of this, is that they alway have a tidy room and are more than willing to help out to get a few extra stars on their reward charts!

It's fantastic seeing the kids in and around Dunblane popping into the shop with their tubs or wallets filled with change as rewards for great behaviour.  Just as pleasing is the smiles on parents faces as their kids take their time counting out their money and deciding on just which collectable to get this week.  So tidy rooms and happy kids (and parents) all round!