I’ve been trying to set up a reward system for my kids, but it seems like they lose interest pretty quickly. Anyone have suggestions on how to make rewards more meaningful or exciting for them? I’m looking for ideas that’ll actually motivate them in the long run, not just work for a week or two. Thanks!
I’m curious about what other parents are doing for rewards. My 5-year-old gets excited about stickers on a chart, but I worry it might not last. Has anyone tried letting their kid pick the reward?
I’ve been thinking about trying a mix of instant small rewards and saving up for bigger ones. Like maybe earning points for chores that can be cashed in for different things. But I’m not sure if that’s too complicated for this age.
What’s worked best for your kids long-term? I’d love to hear some ideas that have really stuck and kept them motivated past the first couple weeks.
I’ve found that involving my kids in choosing rewards works really well. We sit down together and brainstorm ideas they’re excited about. Sometimes it’s small things like extra screen time or picking dinner. Other times it’s bigger stuff like a special outing.
We also change up the rewards every so often to keep things fresh. My older one loves having a chart where she can see her progress. The younger one responds better to immediate, smaller rewards.
It’s been a bit of trial and error, but letting them have input has made a big difference. They feel more invested and motivated when they’ve helped create the system. Plus, it’s fun to see what they come up with!
We’ve tried a few things. Letting the kids pick rewards worked well. They chose stuff like picking dinner or a family game night. Mixing immediate small rewards with saving for bigger ones kept it interesting. My 9-year-old saved up for a new bike. It’s been trial and error, but involving them in the process has helped a lot.
You know, I’ve been through the reward system struggle too. What really clicked for us was making the rewards feel special, not just another thing.
My kids loved choosing a ‘reward of the week’ every Sunday. It could be anything from picking the weekend movie to a trip to the ice cream shop. This way, they had something to look forward to, and it changed often enough to stay exciting.
We also tried a point system where they could save up for bigger rewards. My daughter saved for weeks to get a new bike, and she was so proud when she finally earned it. It taught her patience and goal-setting.
Sometimes, the reward was just one-on-one time with me or my husband. That often meant more to them than material things. 
Remember, what works can change as they grow. My teens now prefer earning trust and freedom as rewards. It’s all about finding what motivates your specific kids and being flexible.
I’ve had some success with turning chores into mini-games for my kid. We’ve done things like setting timers to see how fast we can clean up toys, or making a scavenger hunt out of putting away laundry. It’s not foolproof, but it often gets the job done with less fuss.
Rewards can be tricky. What worked for us was mixing it up - sometimes it’s extra game time, other times it’s a special treat or activity. I try to keep things unpredictable so it stays interesting. It takes some creativity, but it’s worth it when I see my kid actually getting excited about helping out around the house.