WAHM’s Deserve Rewards Too

10 Ways to Reward Yourself

WAHM’s will tell you the best way to get your children to do what you want them to is to reward them each time they do it right.  The behavior that’s rewarded gets repeated.  Well, there’s a little bit of a kid in each of us who still needs and wants those rewards.

When Should WAHM’s Reward Themselves?

Just like your kids, you should reward yourself for the things you want to repeat.  Here are some examples:

1. Each paycheck you receive, even if it’s small.  This is great, especially if you’re just starting out.
2. Each new client or job you take on.  You did a lot of work to create that new opportunity, you deserve to acknowledge yourself for it
3. Meeting all your goals each week. 
4. Meeting a major goal such as publishing your book, successfully putting together that first class, or finally earning enough steady income so that you can quit that other job.
5. Any small or large, successfully accomplished task that was a challenge in some way, but you want to create the results again.

How Can a WAHM Reward Themselves?

Be creative.  Do what works best for you.  What worked best for me was to establish a few different levels of rewards.  The small stuff earned some small rewards, but if I did the small stuff long enough, I earned a larger reward.  Most of the rewards were either free or inexpensive until I got up into the higher levels. 

For example, I needed to have established an income of $500 or more for 3 months in a row before buying myself that new laptop.  But I allowed myself a special ice cream dessert once a week for meeting all of my goals, or I gave myself at least ½ a day off to go for a drive through the beautiful country by my home. 

Here are some additional ideas to get you started on your own list:

1. A long, hot bubble bath
2. 30 uninterrupted minutes of reading your favorite book
3. Buying yourself that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing
4. Going for a drive through a beautiful scenic area
5. Getting your hair or nails done
6. Getting a relaxing massage
7. Going to your favorite restaurant – without the kids
8. Having someone else clean your house
9. Buying that new computer with all the bells and whistles
10. Taking that vacation you’ve been dreaming about

What feels like a reward to you may be different from what’s on this list.  But creating your own list of both small and large things to look forward to will not only help you keep up your motivation, but you’ll also be taking care of yourself in the process – something every WAHM that I know can definitely afford to do a little more of.