I’ve been trying to improve my parenting approach and want to focus more on positive reinforcement. Does anyone have tips on how to set clear behavior expectations for kids this way? I’m not sure where to start or what methods work best. Any advice from parents who’ve had success with this would be really helpful!
Setting clear expectations with positive reinforcement has been a game-changer in our home. We started with a simple rewards system for good behavior. The kids help choose rewards they want to work towards, which gets them excited.
We talk about what good behavior looks like and why it’s important. Then we notice and praise specific actions when they happen. Like if my son shares a toy, I’ll say how kind that was and how it made his sister happy.
It’s not always smooth sailing, but focusing on the positives has made a big difference. The kids seem more motivated to cooperate and help out. We still have tough days, but overall the mood at home is much better.
Just keep trying different things until you find what clicks for your family. Good luck!
Found sticker charts a bit hit or miss with my kids. What worked was setting clear expectations and praising specific actions. Made a list of house rules together. When they follow them, I point it out. Not perfect, but it’s helped.
In our household, focusing on positive reinforcement really shifted our approach. We’d sit together and discuss what good behavior looked like rather than just pointing out the negatives. I recall creating a sticker chart that made it obvious when my kids did something right. When I noticed them tidying up or helping without being asked, I made sure to highlight that success in a relaxed way.
As time went on, we moved from a sticker chart to a point system where they could earn privileges like extra time on activities. It wasn’t always perfect, and there were moments when a little adjustment was needed, but we stayed consistent with our expectations. Each child reacts in their own way, and what works for one might need a tweak for another. It took some experimenting, but celebrating the small wins went a long way in building a positive environment 
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I’ve found that making a game out of chores can work wonders. My kid and I came up with a ‘chore challenge’ where we set a timer and race to finish tasks. It’s become a fun bonding activity, and the house gets cleaned faster too. We also created a ‘responsibility jar’ where completed chores earn tickets for small rewards or privileges. It’s not perfect, but it’s helped make expectations clearer and more positive. Every child is different though, so it might take some trial and error to find what clicks for your family.
I’ve been trying different things with my 5-year-old, and it’s definitely a learning process! We started a simple sticker chart for putting toys away and helping set the table. Some days it works great, other days not so much.
I’m curious how other parents handle it when their kids refuse to do chores? Do you push the issue or let it slide sometimes?
We’ve had some success with turning cleanup into a game - like racing to see who can put away the most toys in 2 minutes. But I worry about always making it ‘fun’ - will that create unrealistic expectations?
Has anyone found a good balance between rewards and just expecting chores as part of family life? I’d love to hear what’s worked for others as their kids got older.