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Author Achieves Notice With Book On Motivating Kids

Tribune file photo by ANDY JONES

Janine Caffrey, the founder of Renaissance Academy in New Port Richey, is getting national attention for her book "Drive: Nine Ways to Motivate Your Kids to Achieve."

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune Correspondent

Published: January 3, 2009

Believe it or not, an alarm clock can change a child's life trajectory.

Don't buy that? Well, before you discount the suggestion, check out Janine Walker Caffrey's book, "Drive: Nine Ways to Motivate Your Kids to Achieve," which has been generating a lot of buzz lately.

Caffrey, the founder of Renaissance Academy in New Port Richey, was interviewed on the "Today" show last month and has appeared on the Oprah and Friends Radio Network. The book, published in 2008, also has been reviewed by several national print and online media outlets, including The Washington Post and The Chicago Tribune.

Based on the reviews, Caffrey seems to have struck a chord. Listen to her, and it's easy to understand why.

"These days, it can be difficult for parents and teachers to get kids motivated," she said. "Kids of the Millenial generation, born in the 1980s and beyond, haven't had to work for things. That's not how things are in real life."

Well-meaning parents sometimes wind up overindulging their children, with unfortunate results.

Caffrey has encountered young people who aren't motivated to get driver's licenses, because their parents take them where they want to go. Others don't push themselves competitively.

"In today's competitions, all the kids get trophies," she said. "We don't engage them."

In her book, Caffrey outlines practical ways to reverse the trend. Best of all, her strategies are simple.

"No elaborate behavioral charts are involved here," she said. "This is about getting them alarm clocks so they can get themselves up in the morning, getting them to do their own laundry. ... Their clothes might not be as pressed or crisped as you might like, but at least they're doing it for themselves."

Caffrey also suggests giving children budgets, not allowances. Each month, they get the money they need to buy school lunches, shampoo, clothes and other necessities, plus a little extra. Putting them in charge of the money helps teach them fiscal responsibility.

"They have to budget for the entire month," Caffrey said. "If they overspend on a pair of shoes and run out of lunch money, that's OK - they can make sandwiches at home. When they're adults, they won't always be able to eat lunch out."

When she was researching her book, Caffrey drew from Internet resources, conversations with Renaissance Academy parents and her own family experiences.

"My husband and I raised two children who do not suffer from lack of drive," she said. "I think it's because we had children young, and it was more difficult financially. The kids became more motivated."

In addition to founding Renaissance Academy, Caffrey, who has a doctorate in education and is a certified teacher and administrator, runs the Drive Institute and speaks to schools, parents, companies and organizations about how to motivate students and young workers. She also practices what she preaches. Caffrey is at work on a second book, "Nurturing Brilliance," about raising gifted children.

"Drive: Nine Ways to Motivate Your Kids to Achieve" is available through Amazon .com and other major retail outlets. For information, visit www.driveinstitute.com.

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