The kids got report cards on Friday. Sparkle asked if we'd reward her good grades with a trip to get ice cream. Then she went on to tell me all the stuff her friends get for good report cards: Wekinz, MP3 players, Chuck E. Cheese, new clothes, new books, money, etc. She went on to say, "I know you aren't going to get me any of those things so I thought I'd just ask for ice cream."
Back in my day, getting good grades was the reward for working hard. That and a "good job" from my parents was all we needed...and got.
So, am I missing something? How do you handle report cards in your house? Do you reward for good grades?
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When I was little, my mom would give us stickers when we got an "A" on our tests/quizzes. Stickers were the "in" thing back then, and it was an incentive for me to continue to work hard for my grades.
I think that my parents may have brought us out to ice cream before for good grades.
My kids are not bringing home report cards yet, but I think that it is not a bad idea to reward your child for working hard - and ice cream is not a "huge" thing. I also think that it is key to realize your child's ability and remember that good grades for one child may be an "A", but for another child it might be a "B".
Children need affirmation and encouragement, and this is a great way to do it in one area of their lives.
Talk it over with your husband, pray and ask God what is right for your family and for your kids - it could be a fun family night out (or in - make sundaes together!)
My kids don't bring home report cards either. But I think ice cream might be okay if understood as a celebration, for Sparkle and Brown Sugar, for working hard to accomplish their work, paying attention in school, etc. Make it so it is not a reward for a specific set of grades. Just my opinion.
I vote for the ipods and money as rewards... Just kidding! I think ice cream is a great way to reward them without breaking your bank account. Who knows by the time my kids gets report cards, The new "in" thing to get will be a car.
At one point, my parents gave us money at report card time (I think the top amount was $1 for an A). As time went on and my brothers were both dealing with learning difficulties, that kind of faded away.
I like the idea of rewarding them for a job well done, but not sure how I feel about the child being the one to ask for it. :)
After reading your post I think I must be old fashioned. We go out to dinner as a family to celebrate (some place that is kid-friendly) and we actually order dessert - which thus far has been ice cream.
Hey there,
My kids don't bring report cards home, especially since I'm homeschooling. I can say though, that I was having some attention problems with EJ. So, I made up a chart, with rewards. 6 stickers equals an ice cream cone or a trip to the dollar store. He works so hard now to try to get a sticker each day. I've seen such a difference in him.
I think doing something small like getting ice cream is really important to encourage your child and reward them for the hard work they are doing.
Its the same in real life. For an example, if your dieting, you set yourself a goal and a reward (but probably not ice cream), etc.
Ipods? Expensive stuff, nah... An ice cream cone or some other treat? Sure, she's worked hard!
This may sound so corny, but my kids are so excited about their report cards they really don't expect anything else. The only time they ask why they don't "get" anything is when someone in their class brags about getting $5 for each A or gets taken to some cool place. We may take them out for ice cream or have a special treat at home, but not always.
We do take the report cards to Chuck E Cheese to receive our free tokens, but I try not to make a huge deal of it because really...they are only grades and in the younger years, they are objective grades at best.
But, before anyone feels sorry for my kids, they are rewarded more for character and integrity choices rather than chores and grades.
Perhaps a trip to ice cream for grades and a week of no shoe licking would be a great reward! LOL!!!!!!
We don't make a big deal out of report cards. The kids are happy with their grades and we support them on that. When I was young my family would do something special each time but after 2nd grade my brother and I were diagnosed with Dyslexia. Our report cards suffered and so treats were suspended and this became a thing a dreaded.
At the end of the year we reward the kids with a special little treat for making it to the next grade but nothing big. I hear you about the stuff kids are getting these days from their parents. Its not even funny.
We just make a big deal of his accomplishment. One set of his grandparents give him money, as does our bank ($1 for every A put directly into his account). So we get off scott free!
I'm with TCC, I'm old-fashioned. We give hugs, high fives, special mention in front of the whole family at the dinner table, etc. We are really trying not to attach rewards to food, given my weight issues and The Boss's health issues. We use our Celebrate plate for special accomplishments, but no designated rewards.
Additionally, we really want to be sure that our kids know that the letter grade is not the issue, rather that the grade represents their best efforts in the class. I want to celebrate the B or C as much as the A if that B or C truly represents their best. That will be harder as the younger ones come up through, as my brainiac boys keep their A's pretty straight right now. They've set the bar high and it will be our challenge to be as accepting of other grades as we go, if that happens.
Oh, and I'm also with OhMYWord, we tend to give reward for great choices or overcoming character issues. But we try to make those more memorable and lasting than food. Special things that they can hold on to for awhile . . .
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