Looking for some practical ways to help my kids develop better self-control. I’ve tried a few things, but nothing seems to stick. Any parents out there have tips that really made a difference? Preferably simple stuff we can do at home without buying a bunch of special tools or materials. Thanks!
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. My 5-year-old is starting to push back on simple tasks like putting toys away. I tried making it a game where we race to see who can clean up faster. It works sometimes, but not always.
I’m curious about the chart idea. How detailed do you make it? Do you use pictures for younger kids who can’t read yet? And what kind of rewards, if any, do you tie to completing tasks?
I worry about relying too much on rewards. Will my child expect a prize for every little thing? But then again, adults get paid for work, so maybe it’s not so different?
What’s worked best for you in teaching kids to do things without constant reminders?
We use a chart with daily tasks. Kids mark off what they’ve done. It’s basic, but seeing progress motivates them. They like feeling in charge of their own routines. Took a while to get going, but now it’s part of our day.
In our home, we’ve found that building routines around small wins works well. My kids have a special board where they put stickers for each task they complete. It started with simple things like brushing teeth or putting away toys.
We talk about how good it feels to finish tasks. Now they often remind me it’s time for their routines! They get excited to add stickers and see their progress.
For bigger tasks, we break them into smaller steps. This helps them not feel overwhelmed. They choose which step to do first, which gives them some control.
It’s not perfect every day, but overall it’s helped them feel more confident and independent. Seeing them proud of their accomplishments is really rewarding.
We struggled with this too. What clicked for us was setting clear, age-appropriate expectations and sticking to them. For my younger one, we started small. She had to make her bed every morning before breakfast. It was tough at first, but became a habit.
For my teen, we tied his phone time to completing homework and a few daily chores. He grumbled, but eventually saw the connection between responsibility and privileges.
Both kids have ‘thinking spots’ in their rooms. When emotions run high, they go there to cool off. It’s simple, but helps them learn to manage feelings.
These aren’t fancy techniques, just consistent routines. It takes time, but they’ve learned to balance fun and responsibilities. Now they often surprise me by doing things without being asked. 
I’ve found that turning chores into a game can work wonders. My kid loves it when we set a timer and race to see who can fold the most laundry or put away the most dishes. It’s not perfect, but it definitely makes things more fun.
We also have a simple chart on the fridge where my child can check off tasks. It’s nothing fancy, just a whiteboard with some basic daily stuff. Seeing those checkmarks adds a little boost of accomplishment.
These methods aren’t foolproof, but they’ve helped make routines less of a battle in our house.