I’ve been trying to work on my kids’ behavior lately, but it’s tough to be consistent. Any parents out there have tips on how to fit reinforcement strategies into everyday life? I’m looking for practical ideas that don’t take up too much time or energy. What’s worked for you?
I’m curious about behavior reinforcement too. My 5-year-old is just starting to do small tasks.
I’ve been trying a mix of things. Some days we make cleaning up a race. Other times, I offer a small treat if toys are put away before bedtime.
It’s hit or miss though. Sometimes my kid is excited, other times not interested at all.
What about longer-term rewards? Has anyone tried a weekly goal chart or something similar? I wonder if that might work better than daily rewards.
Sticker charts worked well for us. Quick to update, kids loved them.
My oldest responds to earning screen time. Youngest likes picking dinner once a week.
Small, frequent rewards seem to stick better than big ones.
I remember those early days of trying to get my kids to do chores. It was a real challenge! What worked for us was keeping things simple and building habits slowly. We started with just one or two tasks a day, like making the bed or putting dishes in the sink.
I found that giving my kids some choice in their chores made a big difference. They felt more invested when they got to pick between a few options. We also had a reward system, but kept it pretty basic - extra TV time on the weekend or choosing a family movie night.
One thing that really helped was doing chores together, especially when they were younger. It made it feel less like a chore and more like family time. As they got older, we gradually increased their responsibilities.
It wasn’t always smooth sailing, but consistency really paid off in the long run. Now my teens handle most of their own stuff without much fuss. Hang in there - it does get easier! 
In our house, we’ve found that simple routines and praise go a long way. We have a magnetic board where the kids can move their magnets when they finish tasks. They really enjoy the visual progress.
For my oldest, we started a ‘kindness jar.’ Whenever we catch her being extra helpful or kind, she gets to add a pom-pom. When it’s full, we do a fun family activity she chooses.
My youngest loves getting ‘special helper’ status for the day after doing something great. It’s little things, like picking the music in the car or being my cooking assistant.
These strategies blend into our day naturally and the kids seem to enjoy them. It’s not perfect, but we’re seeing good results so far.
I’ve found that turning chores into games can make a big difference. My kid loves our ‘beat the timer’ challenge for tidying up. We set a fun song as the timer, and the goal is to finish before it ends.
Another thing that’s worked well is our ‘chore jar’. We put simple tasks on popsicle sticks, and my child picks one each day. It adds an element of surprise that keeps things interesting.
These methods have made chores less of a battle in our house. They’re not perfect, but they’ve definitely helped make our routines smoother and more enjoyable for everyone.