What kind of reward do you give if your child is good?

Question

Besides food because in America that is all that we do...usually.

Answer 1

Hugs and kisses. My daughter loves a squeeze hug.

Answer 2

If you have an award chart going then a basket of goodies to choose from when a certain goal is reached is a good idea. The goodies given would depend upon age. Goodies might include movies, cd's, stuffed animals, stickers, $1 store toys, money. The list is limited only by your imagination and the things that motivate your children. Very young children; ones who don't quite understand an award chart will usually benefit most by a fun game with you. On that note, I try to catch my children doing whatever that is good or nice and tell them I'm proud of them for doing so, that is the treat or reward. I know I sound sappy and so will you but children feel so proud when we parents makes those comments. It strengthens our relationships, makes them better people, and above all those are the greatest rewards.

For those who want to read on: My son, 5, and daughter, 2, recently started making neighborhood friends. Kids of all ages were showing up in my yard. Children ranging from the age of 10 to 2 were there. It seemed like chaos, but a miracle in my eyes. There were balls flying, feet jetting out from swings, and our little puppy weaving in and out of all those legs. Amidst all that I said loudly, "you guys are playing so well together, thank you,". You wouldn't believe some of the looks I got. One boy in particular seemed to take great pride in the comment. I am in no way a perfect mom, but damn I can try right?? :-)

Have Fun!

Answer 3

Acknowledgement of good behavior will go sooo much futher than ANY material thing. You are right about the food thing, but your disdain for a food reward could be directed toward any reward of its kind. Have you ever a heard a person, in a speech or a toast, thank their parents for the stars on the poster board chart or the candy they were given. Just TELL your child you are proud of him/her.

Answer 4

The best reward you can give is to appreciate the good things he has done. Give him a kiss, a hug, words of encouragement, tell him you love him more because of what he has done. Sometimes material rewards corrupts the mind of a child. They might end up doing good because of material rewards and not because it is good to do good.

Answer 5

I try to tell my daughter how much i appreciate what she did or how proud i am -just depending on what she did.
I don't "reward" for behavior but if she behaved well somewhere that would normally be uncomfortable for an 11yr old to sit through, I'll tell her how much i appreciated her good behavior or compliment her on her good manners or tell her how she's growing up to be a lovely young woman.

When i reward her it's usually letting her pick an activity for the two of us to do together.

Good luck!

Answer 6

in the summer water balloon points...
then i get blasted
in the winter we do designer spit balls bottled water and paper points
then i get blasted
we also have a wall in the basement that is made for picture drawing .[and that's ON the wall... not paper ].. it's been covered
the other is a fun jar.... its filled with things they like to do .. after so many good points they pick a folded prize....oh and there are 3 with a red sticker these get a toy have a bag full of nonsense i got at the dollar store all wrapped they pick one..

Answer 7

hmmm. I don't give our daughters "rewards" per se. I thank them for their actions, and let them know when they are being polite, etc.

By rewarding, you are encouraging extrinsic motivation, which will spiral into disaster as the kids grow, and that is all they expect: from parents, coaches, and teachers.

Answer 8

Suggest a fun activity that the two of you can do together. It could be something as simple as taking a walk or playing a game, or reading a story together.

Answer 9

DON'T give food as a reward. Lots and lots of praise. positive praise and TONS of hugs.

Answer 10

I take them to the park, movies, buy them coloring books etc. etc.but most of the time I give them my attention lots of hugs and kisses. And they are great kids!!! Not just because they are my kids. Really!!!