Hey everyone, I’ve been thinking about how giving rewards for completing chores or tasks might help kids learn to be more responsible and self-reliant. Does anyone have thoughts or experiences with this approach? I’m curious about any benefits or possible downsides you’ve noticed.
I’ve been testing this out too. Sometimes my kid looks forward to earning his coins, and that excitement really turns a regular chore into a bit of a game. I do worry if he starts expecting a reward every time. Has anyone else noticed his attitude changing as he gets used to the routine?
I used subtle rewards with my kids for a while. They completed tasks quicker when there was a small bonus. But I noticed that sometimes they’d only do the chores when something was up for grabs. Indeed, it made them more accountable in one way and less so in another.
I experimented with rewards and they can be a neat way to add excitement to the everyday routine. In my experience, it sometimes got my kid to complete a task more willingly. However, it also seemed like a double-edged sword. While the points or stickers added a sense of achievement, there were moments when the reward took center stage, making the chore routine feel more like an obligation. I keep things varied, occasionally shifting focus away from points to keep our daily routines feeling fresh.
I’ve been through this with my own two teens over the years. In the beginning, especially when my youngest was only starting to handle chores, small rewards really lightened the mood. They got a little extra motivation on days when the task felt like a drag. Over time, as responsibilities increased, I noticed that rewards alone couldn’t drive the behavior. My older one sometimes treated the extra screen time as an entitlement rather than a bonus. I experimented with mixing it up by not always tying a reward to a task. It was interesting to see him take pride in a job well done when there was no token reward. Sometimes, a bit of acknowledgment during dinner made him feel really appreciated. Each child’s temperament plays a part, and it took a lot of trial and error to find what truly worked for us 
. Just keep an open mind and be flexible as they grow.
I’ve found that a mix of rewards and genuine recognition works well at home. My kids genuinely get excited when they earn a small token after finishing their tasks, and it adds a bit of fun to our routines. I also believe in letting them know I see the effort they put in, whether or not there’s a specific reward attached. It creates a space where they learn to take pride in what they do. This balance helps me teach responsibility without making things feel too forced. Over time, they seem to take on tasks with more independence, and that extra bit of positive feedback really goes a long way