I’ve been trying to encourage better behavior in my kids, and I’ve heard positive reinforcement can be really effective. But I’m not sure how to fit it into our busy days. Anyone have tips on simple ways to work positive reinforcement into regular routines? Like during meals, bedtime, or even just around the house? Looking for ideas that won’t take up too much time but could make a difference. Thanks!
Sticker charts worked well for us. Quick and easy to update.
My kids liked earning points for good behavior too. We’d tally them up weekly for small rewards.
Simple praise goes a long way. I try to notice and comment on helpful things they do around the house.
In our home, we’ve found little ways to make positive moments part of everyday life. At dinner, we go around the table and each person shares one good thing that happened. The kids love it and often remind us if we forget!
For bedtime, we have a sticker chart where they get to add a sticker for things like brushing teeth or putting on PJs without fuss. When the chart is full, we have a special family movie night.
During the day, I try to catch them being helpful or kind and give a quick high five or say something nice. It’s not perfect, but these small habits seem to brighten the mood and encourage more good choices. The key has been keeping it simple and consistent.
I’ve been trying to work positive reinforcement into our routines too. It’s not always easy with a 5-year-old! We started a simple thing at bedtime where we each share one thing we’re proud of from the day. My kid loves it and sometimes even reminds me if I forget.
During the day, I try to notice when they help out, like putting a dish in the sink. I give them a quick high five or say thanks. It’s small, but it seems to make them smile.
I’m curious how other parents handle this long-term. Do your older kids still need constant praise? Or do they start doing good things on their own after a while?
We’ve been experimenting with a ‘chore adventure’ system at our house. My kid gets to choose tasks from a list and earns points for completing them. The points can be used for small rewards or privileges.
I’ve noticed it’s helped make mundane tasks more appealing. Sometimes we race to see who can finish their chores first, which adds a fun element.
Recently, we started a ‘helper of the week’ title. Whoever earns the most points gets to pick a special weekend activity. It’s been motivating so far, but I’m still figuring out how to keep it interesting long-term.
I remember those days of trying to fit positive reinforcement into our hectic schedules. One thing that worked well was our ‘caught being good’ jar. We’d drop in a marble whenever we noticed the kids doing something helpful or kind. Once it was full, we’d have a fun family outing.
During car rides, we played the ‘compliment game’ where we’d take turns saying nice things about each other. It turned boring drives into positive bonding time.
For bedtime, we started a tradition of sharing our favorite moment from the day. It helped end the day on a good note and gave us a chance to recognize their efforts.
These little routines didn’t take much time but made a big difference in our family’s mood. The kids started looking for ways to earn marbles or thinking of nice things to say. It took some time, but eventually, it became second nature for all of us. 