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As adults we certainly enjoy being recognized for our accomplishments, whether it is a compliment from the boss or a special dinner to celebrate. Kids also thrive in being recognized, whether the achievement is making it through the first week of daycare, excellent grades, or getting a hard-earned award. Below are suggestions of fun ways to commemorate the goals earned.
Enjoy a Movie. Let your child choose the movie and enjoy a few hours together at the theater, or a more economical alternative is enjoying a family movie night at home. Make snacks and cuddle up for the show.
Let Him Have a Sleepover. If your son’s latest report card brought his grades up, permit him to invite a few friends over to mark the occasion.
Create a New Tradition. Doing the same thing again and again can be boring, but when you turn it into a tradition it is fun. Think of the holidays your family celebrates and consider the special decorations or food choices used in conjunction with those traditions. This works well for celebrating good grades or winning an award too. Pulling out the items that are reserved specifically for these celebrations will solidify it into a new tradition that is extra meaningful to your family.
Experience a Day Trip. Earning the chance to take a day trip is a great motivator and celebration. If your child has a favorite place to go, such as a theme park or children’s museum, you can incentivize him to achieve a new goal by making that the reward.
Make His Favorite Meal. He loves your homemade spaghetti, as long as you make the meatballs into special shapes, so as a celebration make his favorite meal with any specialty request he asks for.
Take Her Out For Ice Cream. There’s nothing quite like a trip to the local ice cream shop and if that is something your daughter enjoys, turn it into her reward for a job well done.
Display it. If your child earned a certificate, trophy, or award put it in a prominent place for display. You can even take a photo of your child and the award and share it with loved ones as you proudly share the accomplishment.
Spend Extra Time Together. Sometimes we can buy special gifts, make certain meals, or spend extra money on our children as a way of showing them that we are proud of them and love them, but almost every child craves one thing more than any other and that is spending more time with you. Carve out some time where you can give him your full attention doing whatever he wants to with you.
Whether you choose to celebrate your child’s achievements with words, gifts, time, or events, it only takes a few minutes and a little extra effort to let your child know you think he is extra special. Never find yourself too busy to acknowledge your child’s strengths.
Thought Starters:
- Creating Special Moments with Movies: Think about how watching a movie, whether at the theater or at home, can be a special way to celebrate your child's achievement. Consider making it more memorable with favorite snacks and a cozy setup.
- Incorporating Friends in Celebrations: Reflect on the idea of letting your child have a sleepover with friends as a reward for achievements like improved grades. Contemplate how this could also strengthen their friendships and provide a fun, social way to celebrate.
- Establishing New Family Traditions for Celebrations: Consider creating new family traditions specifically for celebrating achievements. Think about what special activities, decorations, or meals could become a part of these traditions, making each accomplishment uniquely celebrated.
- Planning Day Trips as Rewards: Ponder the idea of using a day trip to a favorite place, like a theme park or museum, as a motivator and celebration for your child’s goals. Think about how this can be both a fun outing and a memorable way to recognize their efforts.
- Personalizing Celebrations with Favorite Foods or Activities: Contemplate personalizing celebrations by making your child's favorite meal or taking them out for a special treat, like ice cream. Consider how these small, personalized gestures can show your child how much their achievements are valued.
Suggested Questions To Ask Your Child:
- What movie would you like to watch to celebrate your achievement?
This question aligns with the article’s suggestion of watching a movie together as a celebration. It gives the child a choice in the activity, making the celebration more personalized and enjoyable for them.
- Would you like to have a sleepover with your friends to celebrate your good grades?
This question offers a sleepover as a celebratory option, as mentioned in the article. It’s a way of acknowledging the child’s achievement by allowing them to enjoy time with friends.
- What would be a fun day trip you'd like to take to celebrate your accomplishment?
Suggesting a day trip as a reward for achieving a goal, as recommended in the article, this question lets the child think about and choose a special outing, which can be a great motivator and a meaningful reward.
- What's your favorite meal that you'd like us to make together to celebrate?
In line with the article's idea of making the child's favorite meal as a celebration, this question involves the child in decision-making and makes the celebration more personal and enjoyable.
- How would you like to display your [certificate, trophy, award] at home?
This question, based on the article’s suggestion to display achievements, allows the child to feel proud and have a say in how their achievement is recognized and shared with others.
