Motivating your child is like baking a pie. Certain ingredients are needed, including planning for what you want to accomplish each week, involvement with your children to get these things done and enthusiasm to keep your children encouraged to learn. There are also two principles that you need to keep in mind:

1. Every child wants to succeed.

2. Every child wants to make their parents happy.

As a parent it is our job to make these things easy for our child to do. This means that we have to do our homework as parents. None of this is difficult if you know what you want your child to be like as a young adult. Most of us simply desire that our children be empathetic, appreciative and happy. We also want them to be able to think for themselves. Here is how we achieve these things:

1. • "P" is for planning for success. This is what increases our ability to achieve success. Work to set S.M.A.R.T. goals: ones that are specific, measurable, action oriented, relevant/realistic and time specific. Studies have shown that people who write their goals down are a lot more likely to achieve them. Of course, it is also helpful to have your children involved in deciding upon the goals because they will then feel like they own the outcome. Involve your children in everything that goes on within the household, even if it means simply giving them a choice between one item and another. This shows them that you respect their ideas, opinions and time.

   • "I" is for using I statements. Make sure that you are using statements that are enforceable. After all, you cannot change anyone's behavior except for your own. Trying to do so will only result in a power struggle wherein everyone loses. Therefore, you should talk in terms of what you are going to do. (i.e. "I am leaving for the store at 2P.M. and those who are ready can come; I am going to listen to you as soon as your voice is as calm as mine; Any toys that I pick up are going to be taken away)

   • "E: is for enthusiastic encouragement. Present your ideas in such a way that children will want to say "yes" to them. Take the time to comment on what your children do correctly instead of judging them for what they have done wrong. Let your children know what you expect of them and then offer them a reward system wherein they can earn something meaningful for doing these things without your prompting. You should also allow your children to hear you talking about them in a positive way. When you compliment your child make sure that your compliment is specific instead of simply saying "good job." Focusing on your child's assets and strengths will help to build their self-confidence and self-worth.

It should not be any more difficult to motivate your child that it is to teach him or her. Each of these things requires planning, involvement and encouragement. By focusing on what you want you can gain the results that you are after. Of course, each of your decisions must be aligned with motivation in mind. Once you have a clear picture of what you want your child to become, an action plan to help you both achieve this outcome and you involve your children while enthusiastically supporting them, it really is as easy as P.I.E.