How to Assess Motivation in Kids & Teens

Adventure-Based Parenting- How to Assess Motivation (Kids & Teens)

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Questions to front-load (prepare for situations in advance so that success is more likely and give people a heads-up to what could happen and how you expect it to be handled).

For kids:

What do you like doing outdoors?

For each answer given, ask these questions:

What are your favorite parts about (answer given)?

What things would you like to learn to be able to do it even better?

You’re pretty tough, but what do you think the hardest parts might be if we really got into this?

If we do this, there will be times that you don’t feel like doing it. What will motivate you to not give up?

If we do this, it will mean that we have to spend more time together, and it will certainly mean that we have to plan for it. How can you help to make this happen?

What can you do around the house to help us to have more time for these adventures?

If you forget to do your chores, but still want to go on adventures, what should we do about that?

For Teens:

We’re going to focus on adventure as a way to spend more time together and build a stronger family. What kinds of adventure stuff do you like?

For each answer given, ask these questions:

What are your favorite parts about (answer given)?

What things would you like to learn to be able to do it even better?

With younger kids, sometimes there’s this fear of failure or embarrassment. What would you see as some of the challenges for you?

Obviously, nobody is perfect, and anything new takes some time to practice. What three ways do you think you’ll want support from us (parent[s])?

It’s pretty rare that someone always likes doing something, but being disciplined is the path to success. What are 3 things that will motivate you not to give up?

If we do this, it will mean that we spend more time together, and it will certainly mean that we have to plan for it. What are a few, like 3-5 ways, that you can help to make this happen?

What can you do around the house to help us to have more time for these adventures?

Your school-work is incredibly important, and so is our time together. How can we make this work?

Still have questions? Schedule a video consultation with Dr. Palmer here.

Is Adventure-Based Parenting a fit for your family? Take our Free Quiz!