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    Home » Education & Parenting » Motivating Kids

    5 Easy Tips for Encouraging Kids

    Published: Jan 29, 2021 by Heidi. This post may contain affiliate links 13 Comments

    How do you let your kids know you care? Today I'm sharing my favorite tips for encouraging kids. (Because we all need a reminder to be positive with our kids once in a while!)

    5 Easy Tips for Encouraging Your Kids {OneCreativeMommy.com} When's the last time you told your kids that you think they're great? #communication #kidscards #shopLast week, I sent birthday cards to all three of my kids, and none of them has a birthday this week!  Those of you who already thought I was nuts now know it's true!

    No, I'm not going crazy.  I promise. I'm just really proud of my kids, and I wanted to do something to let them know that I think they're pretty cool!

    Hallmark has these awesome cards for kids.  They start out the size of a regular card, but then they fold out into a huge poster.  (The fact that the ones I chose are birthday cards didn't really matter to me. The messages in the cards and the posters were perfect for each of my kiddos. Lu loves Disney princesses, Boo loves Minnie Mouse, and Bear loves How to Train Your Dragon.

    Tips for Encouraging Kids -- Tip #2: Surprise them with a letter or card in the mail. {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    I found the cards at Walmart, and they have a huge selection.  I found poster cards for boys and girls and cards that fit teens and younger kiddos.  I got How to Train Your Dragon for my tween, Minnie Mouse for my 9-year-old, and Disney Princesses for my youngest.  I love how each card had an encouraging message that was perfect for my child.

    Tell your kids you love them in a big way with Hallmark Poster Cards for Kids!

    Tell your kids you love them in a big way with Hallmark Poster Cards for Kids! #kidscards #shop

    When I purchased the cards, I had no idea what an impact they would have on my kids.  The next day, I caught my youngest hugging her card as she walked around the house.  My oldest--who absolutely hates to have her picture taken--actually smiled for a picture with her poster.  The younger girls have not put their posters up yet.  They just carry them around, re-read the message from me, and play with them.  It's so funny!  I had no idea how happy they would be to get a special card in the mail from Mom.

    Which leads me to my tips for encouraging kids.

    5 Easy Tips for Encouraging Kids

    #1 Tell Them!

    When is the last time you did or said something to remind your kiddos that you think they are special?  Sure, you probably think it often, but when is the last time you passed those happy thoughts to them?

    Next time one of those thoughts crosses your mind, go find your child and tell them that you are proud of them!  It's as easy as that.

    #2 Surprise Them with a Letter or Card in the Mail

    Everybody loves to get mail.  Remember the days when you used to get actual letters? (You know what I mean . . . the envelopes that were addressed by a real person and were addressed to you--not "Current Resident".  Personal notes from friends, birthday cards, love letters, etc.) Remember that excited feeling when you opened the mailbox and discovered that someone was thinking about you?

    Now imagine how your kids feel when the letter is addressed to them.  I loved the looks on the faces of my kiddos when they unlocked the mailbox and found three colorful, thick envelopes just for them.

    Tips for Encouraging Kids -- Tip #2: Surprise them with a letter or card in the mail. {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    Yes, my kids love their posters, but they spend a lot of time re-reading the special notes I wrote inside the cards, too.  They love to be told they are doing a good job.  Don't you?

    You don't have to do anything fancy. My kids loved the cards, but they would love a simple letter, too.

    The other cool thing about letters is that the kids have something written by you in your own handwriting. So, go ahead! Send them a card. It may not seem like a big deal now, but they can save it and reread it for years to come. I still treasure a letter written to me by my grandmother years ago.

    #3 Leave Them a Note

    All you need for this idea is a pen and a pack of post-it notes, note cards, or even just a scrap of paper. Simply write a quick note and tuck it somewhere they can find it easily. (On their mirror, in their lunch box, on their pillow, etc) Ideas for quick messages might be:

    • Have a great day
    • Thank you
    • Good luck today
    • I love you
    • I'm proud of you
    • Do something great today

    I've even made some that I have laminated to use over and over.  (I put these in the kids' lunch boxes.)

    Free Lunchbox Love Notes Printables from OneCreativeMommy.com {Who doesn't need a little love in their lunch?}

    GET THE FREE PRINTABLES HERE: Lunch Box Love Jokes, Lunch Box Love Notes, 17 Great Sites for Lunch Box Love Notes

    #4 Take Them on a Special Date

    I find that offering a date with Mom or Dad is a fantastic reward for kids.  They love getting one-on-one time with Mom and Dad, and the date doesn't even have to be anything fancy.  My kids love to go to Walmart with Dad, buy a $1 treat, and then head to the park to play for a little while.

    #5 Spend Time with Them

    This one is most difficult for me, but it's probably the most important.  My kids are so good at entertaining themselves that it's easy for me to get them started on something and then disappear to work on my own thing.  I need to stop doing that, and I'm just going to guess that maybe you do, too. (I can't possibly be the only non-perfect parent, right?)

    Tips for Encouraging Kids -- Tip #5: Spend Time with Them {OneCreativeMommy.com} #encouragekids #shop

    My hubby is really good at this. I can't tell you how often I hear, "Mommy, Mommy! Come and take a picture!" When I get there, I inevitably find that they have built something cool with Daddy. Look at Lu's face.  She is so proud!

    After reading these tips, I hope you'll do more than just pin them.  Don't forget to put them into action!  (That's really mostly a reminder for me!)

    Thanks for stopping by today.  While you're here, I hope you'll check out some of my other ideas for motivating kids. (Images below are linked.)

    How to Teach Children to Clean Their Rooms {OneCreativeMommy.com} Tired of nagging kids to clean their rooms? Your kids might be overwhelmed and not know where to start. (Free Printable Reminder Cards)

    How to Motivate Kids with Point Cards {A Year of Free Designs from OneCreativeMommy.com} #printable #motivatekids

    How to Use a Daily School Planner {Tips I Wish Were Taught at School} #backtoschool

    Heidi

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    About Heidi

    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    Learn more about me →

    Comments

    1. Marilyn

      October 06, 2014 at 11:30 am

      You're such great mom! Supporting and encouraging your kids is so important...thanks for the tips!

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        October 07, 2014 at 12:01 am

        Thanks, Marilyn. I don't always feel like a great mom. I need lots of reminders to encourage my kids!

        Reply
    2. Melanie

      October 06, 2014 at 11:32 am

      That is a huge card! I didn't know that they made cards that big!

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        October 07, 2014 at 12:02 am

        They start out the size of a regular card, and then unfold into a huge poster. I'm not sure if my kids will ever get the posters up. They are having too much fun playing with the cards!

        Reply
    3. Daniele

      October 07, 2014 at 10:47 am

      I love the idea of leaving them a note. I used to put a little note in their lunchboxes, but I was afraid I was embarrassing them! Last week my 7 year old daughter told me she loved when I would write her notes when she was little - and could I start doing it again!

      Reply
      • Heidi Fowler

        October 07, 2014 at 1:38 pm

        Even my 12-year-old still loves getting notes. I don't think they ever grow out of it. The bathroom mirror works well for those kids who don't want their friends to see. (Truth is, their friends probably wish they got notes, too!) :-)

        Reply
    4. Katelyn F

      October 08, 2014 at 7:16 am

      Love this post and those cards! What fun ways to encourage kids! I love it!

      Reply
      • Heidi

        October 08, 2014 at 9:03 pm

        Thanks, Katelyn. I need these reminders once in a while for myself!

        Reply
    5. Vanessa

      October 08, 2014 at 8:38 am

      Great tips for kids. I am going to use them. Thanks

      Reply
      • Heidi

        October 08, 2014 at 9:25 pm

        Thanks, Vanessa. I hope they work for you! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

        Reply
    6. Nicole Elliott

      October 08, 2014 at 9:48 am

      These are great tips!! We do a lot of them too but having a reminder is always great! I love how excited your girls got over their new poster cards--they are pretty amazing! #client

      Reply
      • Heidi

        October 08, 2014 at 9:26 pm

        Thanks, Nicole. I think we all need a reminder once in a while. The cards are really fun!

        Reply
    7. sửa bằng

      October 16, 2014 at 7:27 pm

      Thanks, the cards are really fun sửa bằng

      Reply

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    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    More about me →

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