We all know bribery doesn’t work. Stop yourself falling into the habit with invaluable advice from Elaine Halligan of The Parent Practice
One of the biggest parenting challenges in this materialistic world is bringing up children to be appreciative and to value their possessions. We know children have so much, yet it is difficult not to spoil them at times. Many working parents say they often fall into the guilt trap and find themselves over-indulging their kids. There is almost an irresistible urge to buy them things when they respond with, ?You?re the best Mummy in the world!? But this can lead children to talk about nothing but possessions, and getting them to be cooperative becomes all about: ?What will I get for doing this"?. If this happens, you?ve fallen into the bribery trap and it?s a deep, dark place to get out of. The key, of course, is to not fall into the trap in the first place. As psychologist and author Dr Phil McGraw points out, ?Your child does not have to love you every minute of every day. He?ll get over the disappointment of having been told ?no?. But he won?t get over the effects of being spoiled.? So, how can you encourage good habits and cooperative behaviour in your children without bribing them" Here are seven steps to help you avoid the trap:
1. Use non-material rewards 
When your child does something good, always acknowledge it with descriptive praise and point out the intrinsic benefits of the achievement, including how happ...