A Personal Message from Keli Berti,
Mother and Creator of MY CHOICE CHART
I would like to tell you about the defining moment that inspired my daughter and I to create this new positive parenting product.
I always prided myself on positively disciplining my daughter. I believed that using punishment as a disciplinary tool focused too much on making children pay for past mistakes. I believed I was practicing a positive disciplinary philosophy until one eye-opening day.
On that day, I arrived to pick up my daughter from preschool, and despite numerous “It’s time to go!” requests, she ignored me. When she finally began listening to me, I told her that I did not appreciate her disrespectful behavior. She responded sadly with, “I’m sorry Mommy. What privilege am I going to lose?”
At that moment my heart sank. I realized she was asking for her punishment. I had disguised “losing a privilege” as a consequence for misbehavior and was penalizing her for her choices by frequently taking something away. I realized I was not encouraging my daughter to behave more positively on her own initiative.
Thank goodness a light went on for me. I told my daughter, “No more losing privileges. Let’s try something different!” She got excited and we brainstormed about creating an alternative learning process that would encourage, recognize and celebrate the many positive choices she made daily.
After much experimentation, we developed and regularly use My Choice Chart—which has brought more cooperation, kindness, respect, thankfulness, joy, and harmony into our home. The chart is prominently displayed in our kitchen as a friendly reminder for all of us to be more conscious and accountable for our choices.
My Choice Chart has emerged as a valuable teaching tool for many other families. When children are respectfully empowered to choose, they learn to appreciate and accept responsibility for their choices. I’m confident that My Choice Chart will support your child’s character growth in a fun and positive way.
Celebrate the journey!
Keli Berti,
Creator and Founder of My Life Ties
Our Story