Chapter 3
One effective system you can implement is known as a “token economy.” If you’ve ever had a job where you receive payment for your work, you’re already familiar with this concept. For children, the classic example is completing chores for an allowance. However, I propose that this system can be adapted for even the youngest children who can grasp the basics of “if/then” logic, even if they don’t fully articulate it yet.
As adults, we often accept waiting for rewards, like a paycheck every two weeks or an annual raise. This ability to delay gratification is a crucial skill you’ll want to cultivate in your child, as it prepares them for future responsibilities and the workforce. Yet many parents mistakenly leap straight to these high adult standards, expecting their children to grasp them immediately. The question is: Is that approach effective? I believe that teaching delayed gratification should be a gradual process. Start with minimal delays and slowly build towards this parenting ideal over the years, helping your child develop the patience and understanding they need to thrive in adulthood.