I’ve been trying to encourage my kids to do more things on their own, but I’m not sure if I’m going about it the right way. I’ve heard positive reinforcement can be useful, but I’m not really clear on how it works or why it’s effective for building independence. Anyone have experience with this or know some good strategies? Looking for practical tips I can actually use day-to-day. Thanks!
We’ve been playing around with making chores more fun at our house. Recently, we turned cleaning up toys into a ‘beat the timer’ game. My kid gets pretty excited trying to finish before the buzzer goes off.
I’ve noticed my 11-year-old is starting to take more initiative with some tasks without me asking. It’s not perfect, and some days are better than others, but I feel like we’re moving in the right direction.
Has anyone else tried making chores into games? I’m always looking for new ideas to keep things interesting and encourage independence.
Positive reinforcement worked well for us. When the kids did something on their own, we’d acknowledge it. Not big rewards, just noticing the effort.
Over time, they started doing more without prompting. It’s a gradual process, but it pays off.
When my kids were younger, I struggled with this too. What really helped was noticing and commenting on the little things they did independently. Even small stuff like putting their shoes away or clearing their plate after dinner.
I’d say something like, “Hey, I saw you hung up your backpack without me asking. That’s awesome!” It wasn’t about big rewards, just acknowledging their efforts. At first, it felt a bit forced, but it became more natural over time.
The kids started doing more things on their own, probably because they liked the positive attention. It took a while, but eventually, they’d do stuff without me even mentioning it. Now they’re teenagers, and while they’re not perfect, they’re pretty self-sufficient. Patience was key - change doesn’t happen overnight. 
I’ve found positive reinforcement really helps build independence. With my kids, I started small. When they’d brush their teeth without being asked, I’d say something like “Wow, you remembered all by yourself!” It made them feel proud.
We also have a chart where they can put stickers for tasks they do on their own. At the end of the week, if they’ve filled up the chart, we do a fun family activity they choose.
It’s not always easy. Sometimes I want to jump in and do things for them. But I’ve noticed they try more often now and don’t get as frustrated when things are hard. They seem to enjoy figuring stuff out.
It’s a slow process, but seeing their confidence grow has been really rewarding.
I’ve been experimenting with positive reinforcement for my 5-year-old. It’s a journey! We started a sticker chart for putting away toys. Some days it works great, other days not so much.
I’m curious how other parents handle consistency. Do you find your kids respond better to daily praise or weekly rewards? And what about tasks they forget? I’m torn between reminding and letting natural consequences happen.
One small win - my kiddo now hangs up their coat without prompting most days. Baby steps, right? But I still worry if I’m doing enough to foster independence long-term. Any advice from parents who’ve been through this stage?