For the most part, my little ones are pretty good about doing their chores.
We haven’t had a regular chore system in place for a long time and last week I began to notice that they were in need of some extra motivation.
There is nothing worse for me than spending the day nagging my children.
It produces a negative atmosphere in my home that I do not want.
At all.
This is exactly what I was getting in the habit of doing.
I want to approach my little ones with positivity, rewarding them for doing what is right and finding things to praise them and reward them for throughout the day.
Thus, our bean jars were born.
I had some small mason jars in the pantry. I assigned each of my children (even my two year old) a jar and attached a label with their names on it.
They get a bean in their jars whenever they do a chore, help out on their own, have a positive attitude, or anything else that can be rewarded.
When their jars are filled with beans, they will be able to choose a reward.
Simple.
Easy.
Something that I can keep up with.
It is going to take quite a while to fill up these jars with beans. Right now, though, they’re just motivated by the act of getting a bean. That’s reward enough.
At first I thought maybe I need to think of something larger to fill the jars with so they’ll fill up quicker. But then I realized that there will be a huge sense of accomplishment in filling these jars. It will teach perseverance and patience, two virtues that I want to instill in them.
My husband also pointed out that if it’s taking too long to fill them up, then that’s a clue to us that we need to amp up the encouragement that we’re giving. We need to be constantly on the look out for ways to encourage and build up our children because it is so easy to criticize and tear them down.
Even Jenny, my two year old, is newly motivated to earn beans for her jar. It is hilarious to hear her walking around the house saying, “A Bean…A Bean…A Bean!” when she’s done something to earn one (like go potty all on her own!).
Our Bean Jars are doing exactly what I desired for them to do.
They’re helping to motivate my children to help out with chores and to have better attitudes. And they’re helping to create a more positive atmosphere in our home.
Score for the beans!!
What works in your home to motivate your children to help with chores?
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Beth says
I love this! So creative and positive! This is getting filed in my “someday when I have kids” file.
Karen says
What a great idea! I love the concept of using this to motivate your kids to do good things and embrace positivity. And that fact that there isn’t any instant gratification makes them think to the future. i hope you’ll let us know how this project goes in a couple of months.