I am thinking about what motivates others. My kids really wanted to attend a birthday party. They are sloppy kids. They will drop something in the middle of the room and leave it there. Book bags, coats, and shoes get ignored once they are discarded. I wanted to leverage the birthday party. They would not get to attend it if they did not clean up the messes that they made the night before. They were really motivated to do what was needed. They got out of bed and were dressed in record time. It is funny what can motivate them. Spending time with friends is something that is high on their list.
It was a win win today. They got to spend time with a friend and I had a clean house with some free time. Parents need to have small victories. Kids need rewards for doing what is needed. It was no surprise. Good behavior should be rewarded. Focusing on the negative behavior creates such tension. Today they learned to do what is needed to get what they wanted. They had something they truly wanted. When there is a great want to get what they want they will help out. The key is to figure out what is in it for them.