I’m struggling with getting my kids to do their chores and homework without resorting to bribes. It feels like I’m always offering treats or screen time to get them to cooperate. Anyone have tips on how to motivate kids in a more positive way? I’d love to hear what’s worked for other parents. Thanks!
Making chores a race worked for us. My kids compete to see who can fold laundry fastest.
For homework, we do it right after school. No screens until it’s done. Took a while, but now it’s routine.
Not perfect, but fewer fights these days.
I’ve found turning chores into games can work wonders. Last week, I set up a ‘beat the clock’ challenge for my son to tidy his room. He got so into it, he asked to do it again the next day! We also started a family ‘chore jar’ where we pick tasks randomly. It adds an element of surprise that my kid actually enjoys. Sometimes, letting them choose their chores or when to do them helps too. It’s not perfect, but these little tweaks have made a big difference in our house. Chores are less of a battle now.
We’ve had some success with a reward system that’s not quite bribing. Our kids earn points for chores and homework. They can save up points for bigger rewards like a special outing or toy.
What’s worked well is letting them choose how to use their points. Sometimes they surprise us by picking things like extra story time or a family game night.
We also talk about how good it feels to help out and get things done. Our oldest started making his bed without being asked. When we noticed, he was so proud of himself.
It’s not perfect. Some days are still a struggle. But overall, the kids seem more willing to pitch in without constant prodding. And they’re learning to enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.
I remember going through this with my kids. It’s tough to break the bribe cycle once you start. What worked for us was setting up a regular allowance tied to their basic responsibilities. They got their money as long as chores and homework were done, no negotiations needed.
We also found that praise went a long way. I’d catch them doing something right and make a big deal out of it. ‘Wow, you loaded the dishwasher without being asked!’ It sounds cheesy, but it actually motivated them to do more.
Another thing that helped was giving them some choice in their chores. My daughter hated dishes but didn’t mind laundry, so we swapped tasks. It wasn’t perfect, but it cut down on the daily battles. 
Hang in there! It takes time, but they do eventually get into the habit without constant rewards.
I’ve been trying to figure this out too. My 5-year-old is hit or miss with chores.
Sometimes I wonder if rewards are teaching the wrong lesson. But then again, don’t we all work for rewards as adults?
I started a sticker chart for my kid. It’s working okay, but I worry it’s just another form of bribery.
Has anyone found a good balance between rewards and intrinsic motivation? Or am I overthinking this whole thing?
I like the game idea. Maybe I’ll try timing my kid to see how fast they can put away toys. Could be fun!