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Healthy and Affordable Ways to Reward Your Kids

Living a healthy lifestyle takes persistence and effort. Still, with our busy and at times chaotic lives, it’s can feel easier to give in to the convenient and often unhealthy desires of our children as a way to reward them for good behavior and grades. Here’s a short list of healthy and inexpensive rewards to motivate your child to keep up the great work.

A Day at the Park or a Trip into the City

Younger children love a visit to the park! Pack a healthy picnic, strap on the roller blades (or grab a bike)- and don’t forget the helmet! Your children will be smiling from ear to ear as they spend quality time with you and (bonus!) get some fresh air and exercise. On colder days, and for older kids, take a trip on the L train into downtown. You can take advantage of free days at Chicago’s many museums, visit the Harold Washington Library, visit Navy Pier, or hang out at Maggie Daley Park and plaza where children of all ages can enjoy climbing the rock wall.

Movie Matinee Date

Attend an early show at your local movie theater and you could catch matinee prices that are often several dollars cheaper than prime time prices. Bonus, you’ll get home with plenty of time for lunch and nap for younger kids (yay!) or those long-avoided chores (boo!).

At Home Movie Marathon

Pop some popcorn, grab your comfy blanket and settle in for a day of the best Hollywood has to offer! Netflix and chill with the kids or let your little ones pick out their favorite long-awaited movies from a Redbox. Make a healthy lunch or dinner of grilled cheese with avocado slices and veggie or chicken soup. Or set up a salad buffet where everyone gets to add their favorite healthy topping.

Dollar Store and Explore

Visit your local dollar store to find games and crafts to keep kids busy and entertained. Kids will feel like they’ve won a jackpot as they look for puzzles, toys, arts and crafts and more to keep them busy. You will feel like a million dollars too when you realize that you can keep kids happy and creative for just a dollar!

Visit Your Local Pet Shelter

Go get your snuggle on by visiting a local pet shelter. Call ahead to make sure your shelter allows volunteers. If they do, you and your family will enjoy a day of petting, grooming, and playing with furry friends- even if you aren’t quite ready to provide the forever home they’re waiting for.

Let Kids Stay Up Past Bedtime

Break out the board games and let your little ones have fun past bedtime together! Play games, look at old photos, tell family stories- or make up your own!

Invite a Friend

Take the work out of entertaining by letting your kids invite a friend over for an old-fashioned slumber party! Popcorn, pjs, and most likely their favorite video games will keep kids entertained and proud of their accomplishments that gained them the fun experience.

The most important healthy reward you can give your child is your time, attention, and unconditional love. Complement them on the things they did well, what you are most proud of, and how much time or effort they put into their work or behavior. Give constructive criticism that does not belittle, shame, or insult. Give praise often and freely to encourage your child to keep up the great work.

Cathy Alvarez, MSN, CPNP-PC

Family Practice

Cathy Alvarez, MSN, CPNP-PC, is a board-certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with over two decades of experience dedicated to nurturing the health and well-being of children from birth through adolescence. Known for her warm, individualized approach to care, Cathy is passionate about building lasting relationships with her patients and their families—many of whom she’s supported through every milestone of childhood.

Cathy began her nursing career after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1999. She gained valuable experience working on the inpatient pediatric unit at Advocate Lutheran Children’s Hospital in Aurora. Driven to deepen her impact, she returned to UIC to complete the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program, earning her Master of Science in Nursing in 2005. She is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) and has since devoted her career to providing expert care to diverse pediatric populations.

She is an active member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, always staying at the forefront of pediatric healthcare.
Fluent in English and Polish, with conversational Spanish skills, Cathy connects seamlessly with families from many cultural backgrounds.

Outside of work, you can find her cheering on her son at soccer games, exploring new destinations, and enjoying quality time with her family. Her caring spirit and clinical excellence make her a trusted partner in every child’s healthcare journey.” 

Marixa Alvarez, ARN, MSN, FNP-BC

Family Practice

Marixa Alvarez, ARN, MSN, FNP-BC, is a dedicated and compassionate Family Nurse Practitioner, board certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Lewis University, where she cultivated her passion for holistic, patient-centered care.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Marixa connects deeply with diverse communities, ensuring every patient feels heard and supported. Outside of the clinic, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen—cooking, baking, and bringing people together over a homemade meal. A fun fact? Marixa has a knack for solving puzzles and putting things together—whether it’s a 1,000-piece jigsaw or helping patients piece together their path to better health.

Carlos Sian, PA

Physician Assistant

Carlos is a board-certified Physician Assistant who joined the IWS Family Health team in January 2024. He was born and raised in Antigua, Guatemala and is fluent in both English and Spanish.

His academic journey began at Saint Michael’s College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology alongside minors in Chemistry and Religious Studies. Driven by a commitment to service, he devoted a year to volunteering as a medical assistant at a health clinic in Albuquerque, NM, through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. This experience solidified his interest in medicine, inspiring him to delve deeper into healthcare and ultimately leading Carlos to pursue a Master of Public Health in Community Health Sciences and Infectious Diseases from Boston University School of Public Health.

Following his MPH, Carlos dedicated several years to the public health sector, primarily serving as a linkage to care coordinator,  clinical research coordinator, and COVID-19 contact tracer. Moved by a need to help his community during the 2020 pandemic, he secured admission to and completed the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine PA program, earning his Master of Medical Science degree.

Carlos aims to integrate his public health training with his medical practice to bring culturally competent and inclusive medical services to all his patients, but specially the Hispanic/Latino and LGTBQ+ communities he serves. In his downtime, Carlos enjoys cooking, collecting plants, fostering dogs, playing video games, watching reality TV shows, and adding more stamps to his passport!

Dr. Tara Ioffe

Family Practice

Dr. Tara Ioffe is a dedicated and compassionate Board-Certified Family Medicine physician with a strong commitment to providing excellent care to her patients. She obtained her medical degree from Avalon University in Curacao and went on to complete her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Oklahoma. She has worked at the University of Chicago and most recently NorthShore University. She has since returned to Chicago and is thrilled to join the IWS Family Health team in 2023, where she will continue to provide excellent care to her patients.

Throughout her career, Dr. Ioffe has gained experience in diverse medical fields, such as immediate and urgent care medicine while working at NorthShore Immediate Care. She did clinical research at the University of Chicago. Dr. Ioffe strives to foster a secure and inclusive environment for all her patients. She believes in an integrated approach to medicine, dedicating her time to understand each patient’s unique needs.

During her leisure time, Dr. Ioffe indulges in reading a variety of books for pleasure, plays boardgames, and loves to explore Chicago with her spouse and young child.