Now that my son is 5 1/2, I’ve been trying out some chore and allowance ideas, getting him used to the idea. My goal is to introduce him to the idea of an allowance but also to help me around the house. I usually jot a few jobs down on a list over the weekend and he can earn .25 or .50 for each of them. It’s been difficult thinking of things he can do independently, or do without making more work for me. One of my favorites is “Put the laundry away, .25/load.” As much as I enjoy laundry, all 8-12 loads per week, it’s a very big help for him to take the clothes, towels, etc. and put them in their designated homes. I still help him with the items that need hangers, but he’s doing a great job so far. The 3-year-olds are in charge of folding all of our white washcloths, as squares are pretty easy to work with.
Over the summer, I’ll try some new chores since he’ll be home all day. I’m also reading with interest about Chore Charts, Teaching Kids About Money, and an Alternative to Allowance.
Are you doing chores and/or an allowance with your kids? How is it working?
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Our teen has been working with us for about 2 years. He’s a great IT person, helps with maintenance and filled in when my husband had a root canal.
We love working together too. Who wouldn’t enjoy eating lunch with teen and talking about stuff.
Great post.
I used to give an allowance, but I found that my kids spent it all immediately and were not learning about saving money. Now I pay interest instead. I keep a ledger of the money they have “invested” with me, and each month I pay 5% of their total as interest! (That’s MUCH better than any bank will give.) Even my 4-year-old understands that if he spends his money he will get less money the next month.
Now my problem is that my 9 year old has so much saved, I’m having a hard time paying the 5%!!
We do Dave Ramsey’s plan of commission vs. allowance. (work-get paid…don’t work-don’t get paid) We, too, are just beginning to instill this with a 4-year-old. He has a list of things to do around the house, but yes, you’re right…trying to find something for him to do that doesn’t require more work for ME, IS difficult. Good luck this summer!
my 12 year old washes the dishes several nights a week, feeds, the dogs, takes out trash, and recently started to wash her own laundry. My 9 year old son cleans the bathroom, takes out garbage, dusts, and is charge of watering the pets. Both clean their rooms. I don’t pay them for that. They can do yardwork or some of my normal chores(extra laundry,mopping, etc) if they want to earn a little cash(really small amounts like $2 to mow the front and back yards and $0.75 for each load of laundry they, wash, dry, and put away)
As a kid, I helped out around the house for free. But, when I wanted money for a movie or whatever, my parents gave it to me. My sister wouldn’t help…and she never got money. I actually liked this more than an allowance!
I have 3 daughters ages 3,7, and 10. We take $2.50/wk our of their allowance and put it into a savings account for them. Their chores include feed dog, garbage, help make dinner, set table, fold towels, clean their bathroom and bedroom. (Bedroom is required) Some stuff is not done perfectly which is fine if they are putting effort into it. They get .25/chore or more if it’s big. Even my 3 year old sets the table, feeds dog, drags garbage to the door and folds towels (all sometimes).
We also decided that if they want any toys, treats, etc.. they pay out of their own money. I got tired of going into stores and dragging a crying child out so now they carry their own wallets and have learned to save if they want something big.