Challenges

So lately I have "challenges" for each of my children.  They each (as we all do) have annoying habits that I would rather they not possess.  And, I am easily annoyed.  So I have challenged my littles, individually, to not do these annoying habits for 2 weeks.  If they can go the full 2 weeks without slipping up even once, they get a prize of their (reasonable) choosing.  One daughter has a super annoying habit of constantly picking and biting her nails until there is basically nothing left.  But lately, I had noticed it to be a nervous and disruptive/distracting habit.  So, thus the challenges began.  Obviously the point is that these habits will officially die within the two week period.  I plan to ensure the extinction of these habits by imposing consequences if the habits return once the prize is obtained; Like loss of said prize or other privileges.  So, first "challenged" daughter succeeded and picked out a super cool prize - that I just may have to borrow.  ;)  Another daughter started her challenge today. . . it also ended today - poor thing.  When I was putting her to bed, she asked for another chance.  Her challenge is WAY harder. . . she is challenged to obey the first time she is asked, as this almost never happens.  I know it's a big challenge.  Perhaps it's as much for her as for me. . . for me to see that yes, she can do it, and I can enforce it.  For her, she will (hopefully) see that she is in control of if she chooses to obey or not - which will (again, hopefully) be eye opening to her.  Pray for this "challenged" kid - it's a tough one, for all of us.  Not to be left out, another of my littles wanted in on these challenges.  So her challenge is not to share any bodily functions at the dinner table.  You're all pretty smart people, I'm sure, if you know my kids at all, you can figure out who is who.  But in order to maintain as little embarrassment as possible, I went with anonymizing my kids, I'm sure you understand.  It is fun to see them so easily aware of their "habits" and how they don't need to be doing them.  The first challenge completer has decided to partake in another challenge.  This time around, not only does she have to complete her second challenge, but she also has to make sure that the first habit doesn't re-enter. . . does all of this make sense?  Anonymizing can get confusing.  ;)  I may want to get in on the challenge fun . . . like challenge myself not to eat sweets after 7pm . . . or at all . . . ah, we'll see.  :)