I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to encourage good behavior in my kids. Some friends swear by giving lots of praise, while others use things like sticker charts or small treats as rewards. I’m curious what other parents think works better in the long run. Has anyone had success with one method over the other? Or maybe a mix of both? Just looking for some real-world experiences here.
In our house, we’ve had some success mixing praise with small rewards. My kid responds well to specific compliments about their effort or progress. For bigger tasks, we’ve tried a point system where they can earn towards something fun. Lately, we’ve been experimenting with turning chores into quick games or challenges. It’s not perfect, but it does make things more engaging. I’m still figuring out the balance as my child gets older. Curious to hear what’s worked for others with pre-teens!
We use a mix. Praise works for daily stuff. Small rewards help with bigger goals. Our kids like earning points for a special outing or toy. It changes as they get older. Focusing on effort over results seems to work best for us. Still figuring it out as we go.
I’ve been down this road with both of my kids. When they were younger, praise worked really well. A simple ‘You did such a great job!’ could light up their faces. As they got older, tangible rewards became more motivating.
What I found most effective was a mix of both. Praise is always important, no matter the age. It builds confidence and shows you notice their efforts. But adding in some rewards, especially for bigger tasks or long-term goals, gave them something concrete to work towards.
My daughter loved earning points towards choosing the weekend movie, while my son was motivated by extra allowance for big chores. The key was finding what mattered to each kid. And you know what? As they got older, the pride in accomplishing tasks became its own reward. They started doing things without being asked, which was pretty amazing to see. 
Remember, every kid is different. What works for one might not work for another. It’s all about finding that sweet spot for your family.
I’ve been experimenting with both praise and rewards for my 5-year-old. Sometimes a high five and ‘great job!’ work wonders. Other times, the promise of screen time motivates better. It’s tricky to find the right balance.
I’m curious how other parents handle this as kids get older. Do you keep up with rewards or phase them out? And does constant praise lose its impact over time?
We recently started a sticker chart for brushing teeth. It’s going okay, but I worry about relying on it too much. How do you transition from external motivation to internal motivation? That’s the part I’m really struggling with.
In our family, we’ve found a mix of praise and small rewards works well. Our kids really respond to specific encouragement about their efforts. We also use a simple chart where they can earn points for bigger tasks.
Recently, we started letting them choose a fun family activity when they reach certain point goals. It’s been great seeing them get excited about working towards something together.
One thing that’s helped is keeping expectations realistic. We focus on progress rather than perfection. When they struggle, we talk about what they learned and how to improve next time.
It’s definitely an ongoing process though. We’re always adjusting as they grow and their interests change. The most important thing is finding what motivates each child individually.