How I Motivate My Kids?

Both of my kids are doing good in everything, but sometimes I am struggling to keep them motivated. What is your experience?

I am trying to take different approaches and adapt to the situation, for instance with my son (11 years old), he is really sporty and very competitive on any sport. So, when I feel he is not on his best days for school or studying, I am trying to make an analogy with soccer (his favour sport😉) and asking him, “tell me son, when you try to make a goal, is it easy or it requires, patience, perseverance and effort? If so, think about studying doing the same, to finish, you need effort and once you are done, you will feel as making a goal like Messi!!”

With my daughter, a teenager… it is more difficult and I need to adapt depending on her days…probably if you have a teenager kid, you know what I am talking about and if you do not and your kid is still young, please wait for it! Believe me, it will come… Some days, when she is down but in bad mood, I use some long silence first. I let her speak and come to me, but if she does not, then I just ask “is there anything that is bothering you and I could help” instead of start lecturing her. In those days, where she is super UP, but instead of using her energy and time on her iPad or iPhone, I just invite her to do something together like cooking. Then I engage by asking, “these days what is making you feel good?” This is great trigger, so whatever is what she starts speaking with passion, I just add more gas to the fire (in a good sense). I think that after our chats, she channels her energy in a more constructive way rather than just watching her mobile, etc.

Could you please share how you are motivating your kids? Tell me about it, since I feel I have much to learn!