Read time: 4 minutes

After months of thorough testing with families using Nelli, we’ve identified three distinct stages that children and parents tend to experience. Whether you’re just getting started or finding yourself navigating one of these stages right now, understanding them can help you maximise Nelli’s potential and guide your child toward increased independence and better time management.

Stage 1: 🏝️ The Honeymoon Phase (1-3 Weeks)

This is the “shiny new toy” stage. When Nelli is first introduced, it’s an exciting time for children. They love reaching those early rewards, and that sense of achievement drives them to complete tasks. Every jingle, every task ticked off, and every celebration animation fills them with joy. Whether you’ve chosen to use rewards or not, this phase is all about building that initial momentum and excitement.

But, as with anything new, the shine does eventually wear off. Enter Stage 2…

Stage 2: 🌨️ The Dip (Weeks 2-4)

Every journey hits a bump in the road, and Nelli is no different. This is when the novelty starts to wear off, and children may begin to lose some of the excitement they had at the start. Tasks that once brought joy might feel like more of a chore, and motivation may dip. Sound familiar?

This stage is crucial. Staying consistent and persistent with Nelli is key. We’ve conducted extensive behavioural testing with families, and the results show that those who push through this stage experience long-term success. As Sam Hinke wisely said, “Trust the process.” It might feel like a grind now, but the rewards are just around the corner.

Here are a few tips to get through the Dip:

• Switch things up: If your child is losing interest, try changing the way tasks are presented. Have you been using notification-based tasks? Consider switching to time-based tasks and involve your child in setting the durations.
• Encourage self-accountability: Let your child have input on the order of tasks and how long they need to complete each one. They’ll feel more in control and motivated to take ownership.

Stage 3: 🌈☀️ The Flow State (Weeks 3-4 and Onwards)

Oh, the sweet Flow State! This is when everything starts to click. Nelli becomes part of your child’s daily routine, and suddenly, they’re managing their tasks independently, remembering to tick them off, and responding promptly to their notification tunes. Independence and time management skills are taking off, and it’s a wonderful thing to witness. This is the stage where Nelli truly shines as a tool that enhances your family’s daily rhythm.

We’ve seen it time and time again: families who stick with Nelli through the Dip find themselves in the Flow State, and it’s glorious. But how do you get here? Let’s share a real-life example.

🌟 How We Overcame the Dip: A Real-Life Example

After the initial excitement, around week 2 or 3, our 6-year-old stopped reacting to her notification jingle, and both kids weren’t as diligent about ticking off their tasks. We were frustrated and found ourselves manually ticking off tasks at the end of the day – a BIG mistake! So, we made some changes.

Here’s what worked:

• Switching to time-based tasks: We found our 6-year-old panicked about time limits, so we decided to sit down with each child, let them decide the order of their tasks, and estimate how long they thought each task would take. Then, we timed them using a stopwatch to show how quickly they could do each task. This helped ease their anxiety about timing.
• Be firm but fair: We set a rule – if they didn’t complete the task before time ran out, no star points were awarded. Even if the task was done, but not ticked off, it didn’t count. This simple rule created a sense of ownership and accountability.

After making these changes, the difference was night and day. We successfully moved through the Dip Stage, and both kids now use Nelli daily, eagerly responding to their notification tunes and remembering to tick off their tasks. The Flow State is here, and it’s bliss!

💡 Tips for Navigating the Dip and Reaching the Flow

If you’re struggling to keep the momentum going, here are a few ways to switch up how you use Nelli:

1. Time-Based Tasks: Time your child while they complete a task and add 2-3 minutes extra when setting the task duration. This helps them feel more confident and less rushed.
2. Let Them Decide: Allow your child to choose the order of their tasks. This simple change can give them a greater sense of control.
3. Refresh Rewards: Consider introducing new, exciting rewards if you’re comfortable with it. Bigger rewards can reignite motivation and enthusiasm.

Remember, the Dip Stage is temporary. With consistency and some thoughtful tweaks, you’ll find yourself – and your child – in that glorious Flow State soon enough!

At the end of the day, Nelli is here to help guide your child toward independence, responsibility, and time management. Trust the process, keep tweaking your approach, and watch the transformation unfold.