What is a good reward for chore charts?
When I was a kid, a certain number of stickers on the chore chart meant we got ice cream. As a recovering sugar addict, I want to try something else with my daughter. Any ideas?
I would suggest asking your daughter what she would like in her chore chart, or at least observing what she likes the most. The reward must be a motivation for her to do her chores, is there is no motivation(ie- she does not like the reward), than she will be less inclined to do the chores.
There is nothing wrong with a bit of ice cream here or there. If she is getting ice cream for a reward then make sure she gets it at no other time(otherwise it would be pointless to use ice cream anyway). Sweets in moderation help teach children about control, and not gorging on the good(or really bad) stuff.
With all that said, I am not a big fan of food rewards. Food(especially treats) should not become a taboo item only obtainable for certain things. It makes sweets seem like forbidden objects that when possessed should be treated differently than other foods. I believe this causes children to want the food more, and does not teach them about moderation when it comes to junk food. I believe teaching moderation comes when we allow children to have junk food, teach them we don’t need to eat it all the time, and when we do get some, we don’t have to eat the whole box b/c it’s going to be hidden away for a long time again.
If your daughter is old enough ask her. She will be more willing to work for the rewards she wants. It can be something as simple as movie night(at home with mom and dad), sleep over with friends, etc. You could even to a trade in system, where she can “buy” what she wants with the stickers(which also teaches saving, and responsible spending). Smaller things cost less. (An example where she has the potential for one sticker per day). Staying up for 30 min past bedtime one night on a Sat. could cost 4 stickers. Renting a movie could cost 6 stickers. Movie night with mom and dad could cost 10 stickers. Sleep over with friends could cost 30 stickers.etc. Make sure you have small items, as well as ones to build up to, at least have 2 items that would only take her 2-3 days to earn. Also, if you do it this way, be sure you follow through in a reasonable amount of time, and make it something you will actually give her. Don’t promise a sleepover and then wait 2 months, or tell her you don’t want friends over.
Picking a Reward Sticker