Home
Log in / Sign Up
    Private Messages   Advanced Search   Rules   New User Guide   FAQ   Advertise   Contact Us  
Forum -> Parenting our children
Rewarding kids for calling Bobby



Post new topic   Reply to topic View latest: 24h 48h 72h

amother
OP


 

Post Tue, Jan 18 2022, 5:43 pm
My mother in law isn't well and is lonely. She's not necessarily fun to talk to. Every so often I promise a candy or a quarter for calling. Lately they aren't interested. Any ideas?
Back to top

amother
Slategray


 

Post Tue, Jan 18 2022, 5:58 pm
I don’t blame them. You either need to get them to do it because it is a Mitzvah and the right thing to do (honestly, that is us expecting to be rewarded in Shamayim) or up the reward. A quarter is not much, especially if either she is difficult or they don’t have the ability to really spend it. A candy is great if they are small, my 15 year old will do something because it is the right thing or because I asked, but cannot be bribed with either a candy or a quarter.
Back to top

amother
Zinnia


 

Post Tue, Jan 18 2022, 6:01 pm
Can you do video chats instead? Walk around with a device have the kids wave and say hi. You have to keep in mind that it’s really hard for kids to talk to people that aren’t fun or pleasant.
Back to top

BubblyBubby




 
 
    
 

Post Tue, Jan 18 2022, 6:24 pm
Have them write letters, then they don't have the interaction they don't like, but she still has the nachas...

You could write the letters together
Back to top

amother
Copper


 

Post Tue, Jan 18 2022, 6:27 pm
My kids school sends home a chart. If you call 5 fridays you get a prize.
I like the idea of video chat. Or coloring and dr orating stickers and mailing them out.

Can she read them books on video chat?
Back to top

amother
Garnet


 

Post Tue, Jan 18 2022, 6:27 pm
A few years ago we started incentivizing my kids to call their grandparents and wish them good shabbos. Every kid that did got extra dessert on shabbos.

Now it’s become an ingrained habit, they each call all grandparents (often 4 separate calls) every Friday, and don’t even remember the original incentive. It started off as 30 second phone calls, but as their relationships improved they can now shmooze for much longer.

I’m so happy we started it, even with bribes.
Back to top

amother
Stonewash


 

Post Tue, Jan 18 2022, 6:51 pm
I'm the grandparent getting the calls. I felt kind of strange when I found out there was a reward for calling me. I was okay knowing kids reminded grandkids to call, but knowing they got a reward was not the best feeling. I love hearing their voices so I got over it and decided I'd just enjoy the calls.
I like the idea of getting the kids to write letters. I also like the idea of kids calling without a reward but let's all be grateful for whatever we have.
(Waiting to hear all my imamother friends tell me I need to turn myself into the grandmother they want to call without their parents pushing it Wink )
Back to top

amother
OP


 

Post Tue, Jan 18 2022, 8:07 pm
I do video calls and they wave.. they will show her some stuff. I try to call every day. She is really really lonely. They will talk to her between 1 to 3 times a week depending on their mood. I have a few kids between the ages of 6 and 12.
Back to top
Page 1 of 1 Recent Topics




Post new topic   Reply to topic    Forum -> Parenting our children

Related Topics Replies Last Post
I love frum fashion for kids
by amother
149 Today at 3:03 am View last post
Some kids don’t thrive in a school setting 33 Yesterday at 10:54 pm View last post
Are all kids like this??
by amother
4 Yesterday at 2:49 pm View last post
Belati Kids
by amother
0 Yesterday at 11:05 am View last post
Saying no to kids for selfish reasons
by amother
47 Yesterday at 7:37 am View last post