Paying my daughter to run....

CassandraBurgos83

My daughter is your ordinary 10 yr old these days except she has scoliosis. Her scoliosis is minor and can be corrected some what with a chiropractor,basic exercise and targeted core work according to her physicians. That was not the news she wanted to hear because... she loves to be on her electronics of all types and not very active while having her momma's appetite. I had her playing soccer and she hated it bc she hates running, had her in soft ball and she thought it was boring and I was going to put her in gymnastics, but she kept breaking her right wrist... Since she has started 5th grade all she wants to do is come do her HW (which is great) and then watch TV or play games until bed... so last night I decided I need to do something different to try and motivate her. We went to the track and Oh my goodness she complained and came up with every excuse not to run until I offered to pay her $1 for every lap around the track. Light switched turned on and she immediately took off running and "Boom" 1 mile down.
Sooo next thing you know people were saying "How great it is that she likes to run" and "How long has she been running?" and when I told them what was going on they immediately changed their tune and told me I was a terrible person for making my 10 yr old exercise and how I was giving her an image complex.

Maybe I am in the wrong, but I feel as if it my responsibility to have her healthy in every aspect of her life, which should obviously include her over all health.

bellaa_x0

my mom used to pay us $10 for every book we read when i was younger.. i loved reading so it was just a plus for me, but it was her way of trying to get my brother to read more.

you're not a bad parent for doing this.. its just a little motivation.

nilbogger

I don't see anything wrong with a good ol' bribe.

djshari

I don't see anything wrong with that! A little incentive never hurts and she may end up loving it or just getting into a routine that makes it a habit for life.

NeverCatchYourBreath

My dad used to pay me if I got on base during softball when I was 7 years old. I say go for it. If it motivates her. You're not scarring her for life or anything. I didn't grow up hating softball just because my dad paid me to do it when I was little. I also got paid for good grades.

zoodocgirl

I personally think you have found a great solution, as long as it's handled well!

I was one of those kids - my parents tried putting me in various team sports and I hated them all because I was already unathletic and kids at that age are mean and judgmental. I *wish* I had found some type of exercise that I liked (I did love going hiking with my family, if you have that available to you).

If you tell her she's going to get sooooo skinny and pretty running, then yes, she's going to get an image complex and that's no bueno. But if her doctors have told you that exercise will help her very real medical condition, then you are doing exactly what you need to to ensure she lives a pain-free life. Perhaps you can pay her for some fun core work too (yoga class for kids and moms?). As long as you communicate to her that the exercise is for her health and well-being, and not just for looks, you're fine.

My only suggestion would be sure you're running with her, not just watching from the sidelines on your iPhone, to set that good example.

tihi18

I honestly think it's a great idea. There is a reason people use bribes....they work. You gave me an excellent idea to keep my girls motivated with exercise.

hananah89

I say go for it, its important to her health. I see nothing wrong with it. I never got paid for things like good grades because it was just expected but we'd go out for ice cream or something like that. whatever works.

katimama

I don't see anything wrong with giving her an incentive. You are her mother, you know what's best. You aren't making her do this out of vanity, but for her health. When I was growing up we were given money by our parents when we achieved good grades. I hated school and homework, but that kind of incentive motivated me.

You know your child best and you sound like a caring and loving mother who wants what's best for her child. Hopefully as she see's the benefit of running she'll want to do it own her own or be interested in trying other sports or activities.

sudmom

There are soooo many sports that she might find fun. Vollleyball, soccer, tennis, softball, etc. It might be more fun than just running. Buuuuut if she doesn't want to do sports, you might check out all of the cool aps you can get for running. If she puts her exercise into a techy type of thing maybe she would have more fun with it. Check out the Zombie runnig ap. It is pretty cool. I think it is important to start young for kids to get into exercising. Maybe if you do it with her it would be fun too.

stacetherainbow

In my opinion, there's isn't anything wrong with the tact... unless you're explaining that she has to run in order to avoid being overweight or fat or whatever! Emphasizing fitness is the key. Maybe you can get her to do this long enough to become habit or more enjoyable. Maybe not. Maybe you provide her the incentive to find another alternative that she actually enjoys.
Either way... sorry you had to be judged. We're not always nice to each other when we have opposing points of view

cindirookbanman

You're not forcing her to run - you gave her an incentive and she TOOK it!! I define a bribe as "payment up front with an expectation of something to be done" - this is absolutely no different than paying your kids when they complete certain chores.

I say good for you - and I hope she continues!

emmeylou

Hello I want to say that how your described your daughter (minus the scoliosis) was ME to a "T". I detested running (and still do to be honest lol) with every fiber of my being. It just felt wrong and unnatural. I was most comfortable in a pool, the movement felt more natural to me. That may be an option for your daughter. Swimming (and not just fooling around, but laps and such) is great exercise, especially for your core.

As for paying her to run? I don't see anything wrong with that. In fact I think it may have been one of the few things that may have motivated me to move when I was ten. I see it as no different than earning money for doing extra chores, except with an added health benefit. It may not motivate her forever, but it may help keep her focused long enough for her to get to the point where it is enjoyable.

One of the reasons I hated running was because my muscles hurt for days afterwards (of course they did, i was exercising lol), but the reason I bring it up is so that you can help her with that. You may already be doing so, but show her how to stretch really well afterwards and maybe buy her some epson salts for her to soak in afterwards.

VeroniqueBoilard

If you encourage the "healthy" part and not the "weight loss" part, I see no problem doing that. Exercise has so many health benefits, but we all know that weight loss happen in the kitchen! So make sure all your family, don't single her out, eat healthy nutritious food and even if she doesn't lose weight she will be more healthy!

BeccaBollons

I give my daughter 20p every day we cycle to school together- gives her a little bit of pocket money, and great exercise for us all.
Kids that are not naturally active need some motivation to exercise- well don't we all? Mine is to look great (or better at least) but kids are really not bothered about that yet- they just want to not be bored!

VeroniqueBoilard

If you encourage the "healthy" part and not the "weight loss" part, I see no problem doing that. Exercise has so many health benefits, but we all know that weight loss happen in the kitchen! So make sure all your family, don't single her out, eat healthy nutritious food and even if she doesn't lose weight she will be more healthier!

camkuna

I use to pay my kids to try new vegetables (and other items). They now both have a reputation at school for always eating all their vegetables and they really do love them. No more incentives required either. I say if it works, go for it!

CartoonChris

http://athlete.io/5343/why-women-should-not-run/

HeidiCooksSupper

I remember fondly the moneys I earned as a child doing things that were good for me anyway or to pay for things that were good for me -- like going to Girl Scout Camp. Back then, the charge for two weeks of overnight camp was $33. I spent the winter saving up that $33 so I could pay for camp. Meanwhile, of course, my parents were spending more than $33 on the equipment I needed but I was oblivious to that. I just knew that I was a strong, independent girl paying for camp myself.

I think teaching kids what it takes to earn money is great training for real life. Chores are chores and we all need to learn to do them for free. No one pays us to clean our houses when we grow up. But choosing some activities to pay the kids for is not a bad idea at all.

I'm retired but I still have the much beat up Cinderella watch I earned the money to buy, one nickle at a time, for every night my parents found me NOT sucking my thumb in my sleep. Funny the things that stay with us.

Heidi (an old fart with scoliosis whose 90-year-old mother has it, too)

jrbb03092

I don't see a problem with paying her although I wonder how long her excitement at the incentive will last.

I was able to get my 13 yr old daughter walking with me on a daily basis by telling her that I needed her help to get healthy. She whined the first few days but after that she came straight home (during the school year) and expected to go for a walk with me. And as a bonus she really opens up about her day and tells me all the stuff I might not otherwise get out of her.

CassandraBurgos83

She told me this am that her goal was 25 laps a week lol..... I am going to be broke. I just hope that she learns to love it for the love of running and maybe if she is a better runner she will give sports another try. And mommy and daughter yoga classes sound like a winner