Having Trouble Motivating Your Child?
“School is so boring.”
“I don’t feel like doing anything.”
“I don’t want to go, I’d rather play Xbox.”
“I just don’t care.”
“It’s too hard. I’m quitting.”
I’ve heard some of those things from many kids over the years. Have you? Words like these indicate a lack of motivation. So, what should you do? Well, author Joe White provides some invaluable insight in …putting together a list. Here are the first three ways to motivate your unmotivated child.
1. Have realistic expectations of your child. Not every child will make straight A’s or start on their sports team. Not every child will go to college and get their MBA. “Type A” driven moms and dads, need to be really careful not to impose their personalities on their children and expect they will be just like them. Also, we should not try to make our dreams, their dreams.
2. Be a model of motivation. Your personal example is key to motivating your child. If you are glued to the tube, you can’t expect your child to want to go out in the back yard and play sports. If you constantly complain about work, what message is that sending to your child? Your child needs to see you loving your work, exercising, and celebrating goals achieved.
3. Make sure your child breaks a mental and physical “sweat.” Your child may think, “Why do chores when mom will do them?” Or, “No need to mow the lawn. Dad will do it.” A well-developed and motivated child needs to do some physical labor around the house. He also needs to learn how to think on his own. A list of good books needs to be available.
