I’m trying to teach my kids to be more patient, but it’s not easy. I’ve heard positive reinforcement can help, but I’m not sure how to apply it in this situation. Any tips or strategies that have worked for other parents? I’d appreciate some practical advice on how to encourage patience without losing my own in the process!
Teaching patience is tough, especially when you’re running low on it yourself! With my kids, I found that catching them being patient and praising it worked wonders. Like when we were stuck in traffic, and my youngest didn’t complain, I’d say something like, “I’m impressed with how patient you’re being right now.”
I also tried to make waiting more fun. We’d play simple games while standing in line or waiting at the doctor’s office. It kept their minds busy and showed them that patience could be rewarding.
Another thing that helped was giving them a heads-up about situations where they’d need to wait. It seemed to make it easier for them to handle. And when they did well, we’d sometimes celebrate with a small treat or extra playtime.
It took time, but these little things added up. Now my teenagers are much better at handling delays without losing their cool. 
With our kids, we’ve had success using a ‘patience jar.’ When they show patience, they get to put a marble in the jar. Once it’s full, we do a fun family activity they choose.
We also practice patience together. Sometimes we’ll set a timer for a few minutes and see who can sit quietly the longest. It’s turned waiting into a fun challenge for them.
For longer waits, like at restaurants, we bring small activities or play simple games. It keeps them engaged and makes the time pass quicker.
I’ve noticed they’re getting better at waiting without complaining. It’s not perfect, but progress is happening. The key has been staying positive and making patience feel rewarding for them.
I’ve found that turning patience into a game can work wonders. We started a ‘Patience Challenge’ where my kid earns points for waiting calmly. They can trade points for small rewards or save up for bigger ones.
We also practice patience together. When we’re in line, we play ‘I Spy’ or tell jokes. It makes waiting feel less like a chore and more like quality time.
Recently, my kid surprised me by suggesting we play a waiting game during a long car ride. It’s nice to see them applying patience skills on their own now.
I’m curious about how others are handling this. My 5-year-old struggles with patience sometimes, and I’m not always sure how to encourage it.
We’ve tried a few things. I made a little ‘patience jar’ where we put in a pom-pom when she waits without complaining. It works okay, but I wonder if there are better ways?
Has anyone used apps or games to teach patience? I’ve heard about some, but I’m not sure which ones are good. Also, how do you handle it when your kid has a meltdown while waiting? I’d love to hear what’s worked for other parents.
Sticker charts worked for us. Kids got a sticker for patient moments, like waiting for dessert or taking turns. Full chart meant a small prize.
Made waiting a game too. Who can stand still the longest? Count cars while in traffic. Kept them busy and patient.