 When’s the last time you sat down and thought about what methods you use to motivate your child? Maybe you use sticker charts or candy, or words of encouragement. Maybe you use consequences or threats. Maybe you offer privileges or give them an allowance. I’ve found that keeping my kids engaged requires me to reassess my motivators to keep things interesting. In case you’re in the same boat, I’ve got you covered!
Rewards don’t have to be big or expensive to be effective. Children thrive on recognition, autonomy, and shared experiences. When rewards are thoughtfully chosen, they reinforce positive behavior and strengthen the parent-child bond. Whether your child is working hard on a new skill, completing chores without being asked, or showing kindness to a sibling, offering meaningful rewards can keep them motivated and engaged. Here are 7 simple and fun motivators:
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 The last newsletter focused on the Three Gift Rule and how it can help us focus on giving meaningful gifts this holiday season. Today, let’s think about how giving our kids experiences can build lasting memories. Experience-based gifts don’t just minimize the clutter in our homes—they can also strengthen bonds and encourage kids to explore new interests.
Here are some practical ideas that can be tailored to your budget:  Fall is one of my favorite times of the year for a couple of reasons. One, the kids are back in school and it’s easier to keep a routine. Two, I love wearing warm sweaters and cozy socks. Three, the changing leaves in Wisconsin create one of the most picturesque backgrounds for me to be active and move with my family.
There are many studies that show outdoor movement and soaking in Vitamin D can be beneficial to lowering our stress, improving our sleep and immunity, boosting our self-esteem and creativity, and helping us focus. As with a lot of things in our lives, we need to be intentional with making movement a priority and setting an example for our kids. Family movement doesn’t have to be hardcore or complicated. Here are a few ideas to try to incorporate into your family’s routine.  Summer is around the corner - two of my kids are done with school for the year, and the other two will be done in just a few days. Maybe you’re on top of everything and have each day planned down to the minute, or maybe you’ve got your head in the sand hoping that the school will keep your kids for another month or two! Wherever you find yourself, there’s no better time than right now to think about how you want your summer to feel and what you want it to look like.
 This is a busy season for a lot of us parents… but to be honest, it seems like every season can feel busy. Perhaps your family is juggling a variety of school or club sports, there are conferences to attend, volunteer commitments, dance recitals, summer activities to plan and of course your own job and house work.
I’ve been talking with a number of parents recently who are reflecting on how “demanding” their child feels; demanding the parents' time and attention. “Can we go somewhere?” “Can you play with me?” “Can we do something fun?” These parents are feeling pulled in a million directions: “there is so much I have to do, why can’t my child just go play?” Maybe you can relate, I know I can. |
AuthorDana Parisi Archives
April 2025
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