This blog discusses the importance of adaptability in parenting and how it can help motivate children. It offers practical tips on using choices, excitement, and compromises to encourage kids. The blog also highlights the roles of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation for engaging children. Discover how to support your child’s growth through adaptability.
Adaptability is about how you respond to your child, especially when things do not go as planned. Every child has great days, bad days, and everything in between. As a child and parent life coach at Inspiration Martial Arts, I want to share some ways you can apply adaptability to your parenting and keep your child motivated.
Intrinsic Motivation
1. Choices
What do you do if your child doesn’t want to do something? You can motivate them by allowing them to make choices. For example, I once had trouble getting my son to brush his teeth. I realized that instead of brushing for him, I needed to help him learn to do it himself. I took him to the store and let him choose two fun toothbrushes. This made him more interested in brushing!
If your child is a picky eater, you can also give them choices about what to buy for dinner. Let them pick between chicken or steak, and then choose from a couple of good options. Getting them involved in making dinner will help them feel excited about the meal. You can even create a recipe together!
2. Make It Exciting
Build up excitement when you want your child to do something. For example, if you tell kids to do push-ups, they might not be thrilled. But if you say that doing a few more will make them “one of the most awesome and strong students in class,” they will be more eager to try! This type of motivation encourages them to make an extra effort.
3. Compromise
Sometimes, your child may want something you don’t want to give them right away. For example, if they want a treat before dinner, a compromise can help. You might say they can have two gummy bears now and the rest after dinner. This way, they feel heard while respecting your rules about snacks.
Extrinsic Motivation
4. Kids Like to See You Suffer!
Sometimes, you can use a little friendly competition! Kids enjoy seeing you “suffer” or do something silly. You might say, “If you can do this drill perfectly, I’ll do push-ups!” They will want to see you do the push-ups!
I used this with my son when he started to procrastinate. I told him that if he raced to the car faster than me, I’d do ten jumping jacks. He always won the race because he wanted to see me do them!
As you think about how adaptable you are today, ask yourself if you ever use intrinsic or extrinsic motivation with your child. If not, consider adding these strategies to your parenting toolbox. Your child’s behavior can change based on their mood, so adapting to their needs will help them thrive.
If you want to learn more about how adaptability can help your child succeed, visit our programs page at Inspiration Martial Arts or contact us today!
