What if rewards escalate and nothing feels motivating anymore? 

Parenting Perspective 

When rewards continuously escalate, children can begin to expect more each time for the same effort. What once excited them soon feels ordinary, leaving parents trapped in a cycle of constantly raising the stakes. This not only diminishes motivation but also risks teaching children to overlook the deeper value of responsibility and hard work. 

Shifting Focus from Outcomes to Effort 

Instead of simply enlarging the reward, it is more effective to reframe its purpose. Acknowledge and praise effort and perseverance rather than focusing only on the outcome. Simple statements like, ‘I saw how patient you were with your sibling today’ or ‘You kept trying even when that task was difficult’ help children feel valued for their character. This approach transforms a reward from a transaction into a form of recognition, which is far more meaningful and sustainable. 

Using Variety and Personal Connection 

Children often respond more positively to small, personal gestures than to material items. A handwritten note celebrating their achievement, the privilege of choosing the family activity for the evening, or extra bedtime stories can leave a much stronger impression. By rotating between experiences, special privileges, and warm words of encouragement, you can prevent a dependency on any single form of reward. Over time, this method nurtures inner satisfaction rather than a habit of bargaining for bigger prices. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam teaches us to shift our focus from temporary, worldly incentives to the eternal rewards promised by Allah Almighty. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Kahf (18), Verse 30: 

‘Indeed, those people who have attained faith, and have undertaken virtuous actions; without any doubt, We (Allah Almighty) shall not allow the reward to be wasted, of those people that have undertaken the best of good deeds.’ 

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for children that even the smallest effort made with good intention is seen and preserved by Allah Almighty, holding a value far beyond any fleeting worldly gift. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6464, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.’ 

This Hadith teaches that Allah Almighty values consistency and sincerity more than grand but irregular actions. Parents can use this principle to highlight that the true reward lies in steady effort and pure intention, not in escalating prizes. By guiding children to connect their daily actions with the goal of pleasing Allah Almighty, their motivation can be redirected from temporary gains to a more profound and everlasting sense of fulfilment. 

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