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6 Ways to Set Up a Reward System for Your Kids (and Make Life Easier!)

If you have younger kids, I bet you can relate when I say that I have been struggling with getting my kids to do anything they don't want to do. I have to ask them repeatedly to clean up their toys, put their dishes away, and not take 35 minutes twice a day to brush their teeth.

I was beginning to feel like I was spending way too much time trying to correct what they were not "doing right" and it was taking a toll on all of us.

Everyone -- from adults to kids -- love and need to hear when they're doing a good job. So, we started a rewards system. We got dried black beans, a jar with each of their names on them and have them right next to the TV in the living room so the kids can see them at all times. We set out what will get a bean and what won't, and when the kids do something above and beyond, then they will get a bean as well.

We've been doing this system for about three months now and the response has been amazing! The morale around here has certainly changed and it not only feels good for them to be told they're doing a good job, it's been really great for me to shift my attitude and to be more open to the positive feedback we all need.

Related: 16 ways to avoid raising a spoiled brat


Check out 6 different ways you can set up your own reward system for your kids:

1. Bean Jar
This is what we use at home and it's working so well. The kids get a dried black bean that they get to put into their jar when they do something we feel should get a "good job" reward. When they fill their jar -- we have a popcorn and pj party!

2. Sticker Chart
A lot of parents use this system when they're encouraging their child to use the washroom during those potty training days, but they can be used much longer. Kids love to see their good jobs and that doesn't change too much between 2 years old and 9 years old. If you have chores you've assigned to your kids, placing a sticker when they've completed is a good way for them to keep track of their awesome work.

3. Hole Punch Chart
This is similar to the sticker chart, but it's also like a game board. If you have a list of things you'd like your child to do -- or things they will get rewarded for, write it on a piece of paper in the shape of a board game. They get their square hole-punched when it's completed.

4. Rubber Band Ball
If you're not into giving rewards, but still believe that your child should visually see just how awesome they're doing (we all love positive reinforcement), a rubber band ball is cheap and easy. Use aluminum foil to make a ball and your child gets an elastic to build their ball with each good job deed. They get to watch their ball grow and grow!

5. Popsicle Reward Choice
If you want to reward your child, but don't want them to have to wait until something is filled (like the bean jar), you can use an immediate reward system. Write things like "stay up an hour extra" or "choose the movie for family night" at the bottom of a Popsicle stick. Let your kid choose one out of the jar and they get their reward.

6. Use Money Allowance
A lot of parents use an allowance as a form of reward system. If your kids get a set of money at the end of the week, but only if they complete certain tasks or chores -- that's a good reward system for the older children.

- By Devan McGuinness
Follow Devan on Babble

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