I’m trying to figure out the best ways to encourage my kids to behave well. What kinds of praise or rewards have worked for other parents? Looking for ideas that actually motivate kids without going overboard. Any suggestions would be great, especially if you’ve had success with particular methods. Thanks!
We’ve had success with a simple reward system in our house. The kids earn points for things like finishing homework, doing chores, or being kind to each other. They can trade points for small prizes or activities they enjoy.
It’s not about big expensive rewards. Sometimes it’s just extra story time or picking the movie for family night. The kids really like seeing their points add up on a little chart we keep on the fridge.
What I’ve noticed is they seem proud when they earn points. It’s become more about feeling good about their choices than just getting prizes. And it’s helped cut down on arguments about chores and bedtime routines too.
I’ve discovered that making daily tasks more playful often encourages better participation. For instance, we sometimes challenge each other to tidy up quickly or fold a stack of laundry faster. It adds a sense of fun to what might otherwise feel routine. When something notable happens, we enjoy a bit of special one-on-one time, like a park visit or baking together. Keeping things light and enjoyable really helps turn duties into fun activities without feeling too enforced.
I’ve been trying different ways to encourage my 5-year-old. Lately, we’ve been using a simple star chart. She gets a star for things like putting away toys or helping set the table.
It’s working okay, but I’m not sure if it’s the best approach. Sometimes she’s really into it, other times she doesn’t care about the stars at all.
I’m curious how other parents handle this long-term. Do kids eventually do things without needing a reward? Or do you keep changing up the system as they grow?
What’s worked well for your family as your kids got older?
We use a sticker chart for behavior. Older one earns extra screen time, and younger one gets treats like ice cream. It works for us.
I remember when my kids were younger, we tried a bunch of different things. What worked best was keeping it simple and mixing it up now and then. We’d use verbal praise a lot, just noticing when they did something good and telling them specifically what we liked. That seemed to make them feel proud.
For bigger stuff, we’d sometimes do a special outing or let them pick dinner. As they got older, we tied some privileges to responsibilities. My teenager now gets to stay out a bit later on weekends if his chores are done without reminders.
One thing I learned is that what motivates them changes as they grow. My 14-year-old cares more about having later bedtimes now, while my 17-year-old is motivated by extra driving practice. It’s all about finding what matters to them at that stage. 