Let Your Kids Work Together As a Team
This secret is probably known to every parent with more than one child: Children will get the job done faster if you turn it into a competition. “Let’s see who can fold more T-shirts. Ready to go! “” I wonder who will be the first to brush your teeth and put on your pajamas? Hmm. Go! ” “You know, Mom needs a massage. Who can give me the most amazing one? GO!”
While contests are usually fun (and you can even get some folded underwear and a knotless neck out of them), kids bumping into each other over and over can be harmful in the long run. Rivalry in small competitions can push them to compete in large ones. Before long, they may be wondering who is smarter? Whom did you love more? And how can I make sure my brother doesn’t win?
Here’s the best tactic from mom Elizabeth Mueller on Quora . Her children compete together , in one team:
My favorite little trick is to get my kids to work as a team, rather than constantly competing with each other.
Instead of saying, “Let’s see who prepares first!” I’ll say, “Let’s see if you both can get ready before I count to 30. To win, you both have to be in socks and shoes and brush your teeth.”
This motivates them to act quickly and also creates competition between them. But now they work together and help each other solve this problem. No jealousy, no harsh feelings, no desire to fail with another brother or sister. This is absolutely brilliant.
As brothers and sisters, your children will always be on the same team. My friend Megan once told me that when her twin sister got on the basketball team in fifth grade and she didn’t, my mother told her, “You are your sister’s biggest fan. You greet the loudest and the proud. ” She still thinks about it as they continue to cheer each other on as adults.
Competition can be a good and rewarding thing. But from an early age, let your children strive to become better together.