| Author | |
Jenn Sal
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 23 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 897
|
| Posted: Sept 18 2012 at 8:19am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
This morning, I found myself considering giving my kids incentives for not just completeing their schoolwork on-time, but for completing it without complaining, arguing, etc.
Does anyone do this? If so, how do you go about it?
__________________
Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
3ringcircus
Forum Pro
Joined: Dec 15 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 420
|
| Posted: Sept 18 2012 at 9:19am | IP Logged
|
|
|
G is allowed TV time once all work is finished, but video game time (Leapster Explorer, ipad math blaster), if he "cooperates" during school time. I find that not only is it an incentive, but it also is some insurance against the manic behavior he seems to exhibit after playing the fast games (had I known it was going to occur, I may not have bought the thing at all). It's only an hour a day, and he has to earn it. If he's had a bad day, he loses out, which in turn keeps him a bit more grounded in hopes that the next day is more productive.
I try really hard to keep the whole thing positive instead of holding it over his head, though. I give positive reinforcement and verbal check-ins on where he stands. I also allow for a little bit of overwhelmed whining. If he's overboard on refusing and giving attitude, though, he loses the privilege.
__________________
Christine
Mom to my circus of boys: G-1/06, D-1/04, S-4/10
Started HS in Fall'12
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mommy4ever
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 08 2011
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 596
|
| Posted: Sept 18 2012 at 9:54am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I use incentives.
If we get our work done in the morning, we have afternoon time to pursue interests. For dd13 she finishes later, but still can have free time in the afternoon, it's painting, learning her instruments, movies. For dd8, it's crafts, library books, reading, a movie, roaming around in the yard. If we have an exceptional week, then it's an outing on a free evening, or planned swimming on the weekend, etc.
I am finding it is going SO smoothly so far this year. We gaining momentum, ahead in our plans(insurance for sick season which inevitably happens), it's working great!
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Jenn Sal
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 23 2005
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 897
|
| Posted: Sept 18 2012 at 11:14am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you, ladies! My oldest is 11 and I never felt the need for incentives. But now, having three schooling, and seeing some unwanted behaviors moving onto the younger ones, I want to catch it before it gets out of hand.
I understand incentives are different for every family/child, but I feel awful that I can't even think of many!  We don't do video games, but maybe it's time. I sure know my kids would LOVE to play them at home instead of just at friends or relatives. Movies are a good option, too.
I would love to hear of more incentives ideas, PLEASE! My kids would appreciTE IT, TOO! 
Christine, I agree about not holding it over their heads! I will have to keep that in check.
__________________
Jennifer, Texas
Wife to Mark, Mom to Cora 13,Kade 10, Sarah in Heaven 12/05, Colette 7, Corin 5, & Kieran 2
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mommy4ever
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 08 2011
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 596
|
| Posted: Sept 18 2012 at 11:33am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I don't tell the kids "if you don't get it done then" or "if you get it done then"
It is more, oh, since everything is done, you can have time to do XYZ. Or, it's been such a great week, why don't we go and do QRS.
There are consequences for bad attitudes, as those are never acceptable but it doesn't have to do with our unofficial incentives. They are catching on. Getting it done, means time to do fun things, on our own or as a family.
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
kristacecilia
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 05 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 677
|
| Posted: Sept 18 2012 at 11:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I guess my take on incentives is different. I approach it with my kids as, "sure. We can watch TV, but we have to do our work first. That means when your school work and chores are done and you have played outside,you will be free to watch TV."
This is working really well with my oldest who just turned eight. He is now becoming self-motivated to get his stuff done so he will be "free" to do what he wants.
We also, independent of this, have a 20-30 minute limit set on screens. So when he is all done with his work he is free to ask me if he can use a screen, but he knows after 20 minutes he has to turn it off. Then he is free to read, do experiments, play games, go find a friend in the neighborhood, etc.
We have the same rule in place for my six year old but he isn't really there yet. My four year old doesn't really have school to 'complete,' just some stories we read together and she likes to do a math workbook while her brothers are doing their stuff. However, we do tell her that she isn't free to watch TV until she has completed what is expected of her.
Oh, and when my oldest son has done an exceptionally good job of being self-motivated I have spontaneously rewarded him with 20 extra minutes of screen time. So maybe that was an incentive?
__________________
God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Do you give incentives?
