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I'm struggling with this idea, because I can see both sides.
Offering rewards can be a good way to train kids to help clean the house and to maintain health (potty training/brushing teeth/etc). However, with behavior, is it only teaching them to act because of the reward Mommy will give to them? Will they expect to always be rewarded then? OR...is it okay to train them this way to get them into this habit?
If I were to do a "caught in the act" reward system, I'd do something like Mommy Money. I'd give the kids fake money or coins or something that they can accumulate through the week. They would receive the "money" if I see them do things without my asking -- share, eat all their food at mealtime, offer to help me without my asking, etc. Then at the end of the week, I'd open up a store for them to redeem their coins for goodies -- stickers, little gadgets or gizmos (things from the dollar store), perhaps some candy or special snacks.
Or should I just use the Mommy Store for our chores? What do you think?
The more you reward, the less special it is, you know? So, I save big rewards for big deals, like the other day. I had to clean the house for a showing, and I asked all my kids to be in charge of their toys. They did such an amazing job at putting their own things away, that I took them out to icecream afterwards.
I don't do that often. I expect them to take care of most things just because it's theirs, or because it will keep their body healthy. We were doing stickers for chores, and then giving an allowance at the end of the week (1 penny for each sticker) but I found they did their chores anyway without that incentive.
Overall, when I see great behavior, like sharing, without me asking, I just praise them verbally SO MUCH so they know I appreciate it.
--Meghan
We have been doing a star chart for good behavior around here. Only when I "catch" them being good or acting in a loving way to one another they get a sticker. I never "warn" them they'll get one or give them one when they suggest they've been good. When they get 8 of them they get to chose alone time with mom or dad (a walk or a book of their choice read all alone). They've really done well with this and it's easy for me and I see more positive behaviors since implementing it.
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