Motivational Tricks for Moms
Have you ever needed some motivational tricks just for moms? Wait, I am getting ahead of myself, If you haven’t read the first post in this series about building routines, you may want to catch up on that HERE. Because today we are going to talk about how to establish those routines and keep that motivation moving. One of the things that held me back from starting a blog for a long time was the fact that I never want anyone to think I have all the answers. So let me be clear, our house still has it share of whining and fighting. BUT, I do want to share with you some tools I have used to lessen the push back and increase my kids’ motivation.
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Motivation:
We all have times where we feel like the picture above. Our kids are not exception!! I know as a mom when our kids lack of motivation can be incredibly frustrating. We have probably all heard about intrinsic motivation. Truly, that is the goal with our kids. That they do the right thing because it is the right thing. But let’s be honest. I have never met a toddler who consistently chooses to do the right thing because it is the right thing! Sometimes our kids need a little extra motivation. This is where some simple motivational tools come in handy!
Motivational Tools:
There are so many different motivational tools you can use to keep your kids focused, but today I am going to share what we have been doing this summer. I will link some more ideas at the end of this post as I share them on the blog. This summer we have been playing Guess the Reward. It is basically hangman where the answer is some sort of reward they will earn once they have all the letters completed. They earn letter guesses by being kind of completing specific tasks without complaining….AKA- being kind to mom!
(Our family walk)
You can use this game to focus on anything! Often times we use these types of tools to focus on kindness., but I also use them when establishing new routines. I knew about a month into quarantine that we needed something to help us focus on kindness. Being together 24/7 was bringing a lot of fighting and complaining. So I knew they needed a little extra motivation. And again, once school ended, I knew we were going to need to establish a new summer routine. So now as well as being kind, I told my kids that they could earn a letter guess if they completed their morning chores without complaining and if they complete their school work without interrupting mom while she is working with a sibling. I knew those would be the hardest things for my kids, but you look at your routine and figure out what is hardest for your kids!!
Honestly, my kids are so excited about earning a reward that they are really focused at the beginning. This helps us establish our new routines. After a few months the newness has worn off, but guess what…by that time the new routine is securely in place!! And that is the magic in using motivational tools to build new routines!! They don’t have to be as excited about it on day 100 as they are on day 1. New routines are hard for kids and adults alike. Was anyone else exhausted at the beginning of this pandemic? It’s because all of our routines had changed, and that is hard!!  These types of motivational tools are a small and positive thing we can do to help our kids over the hump of newness!
I know the next question you are going to ask…what kinds of rewards can you give to your kids? Think about what your kids love. And honestly, yes, it is harder during this time of quarantine when so many things are off limits. BUT, I also think that makes even the little things more exciting to them. We have done extra technology time, family smores night, family game night, backyard camp out, family water fight, and ice cream night. You know your children best and what will make them excited!
More Motivational Options!
You can download my Guess the Prize template below and also get my free 5 day email course, Building Routines for Busy Moms. I would recommend laminating the Guess the Prize game, if possible, and just using a dry erase marker to add your letter lines and guesses. If they guess a letter that isn’t in the puzzle, add it to the letter bank.
Another option we have done in our house is Behavior Bingo. You can see all the details in THIS post. We have also done a kindness chain. We start a paper link chain from the ceiling. Each time I catch someone doing something kind we add another link to our chain. When the chain hits the floor we all get a reward!
Or search classroom behavior games and strategies. Anything that is used for a whole classroom, you can probably modify and use for your family too!! I am cheering for you mamma! You can help your kids establish successful routines!!
Ready to get those motivation juices flowing? Click below to sign up for my free 5 day email course, Building Routines for Busy Moms, and get your free Guess the Prize Printable.
Or check out the posts below for more FREE alphabet games and activities.
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