Paying Your Kids for Chores

Okay, in the previous post we discussed chores your children do get paid for and chores they don't...now how do you pay them and help them manage their money?

Make sure the amount you pay is reasonable for the job done. Just because lil' David NEEDS $50 for a video game he wants doesn't mean you give him $50 for just sweeping out the garage.

1. Assign a value for each task
2. Have a specific pay day, pay on time, pay with cash
3. Take money away for a job not well done, misbehavior at home or at school, but be fair

The Evelope System - an ancient chinese secret....

Paying with cash let's them 'see' their profit and is a great motivator. Teach them to have an envelope system:

Saving:
Teach them to always save something - 20%; at minimum 10% - not saving is NEVER an option

Also, have bank accounts for them so this money can be deposited and they can learn how to handle bank transactions.

Spending:
It's okay for them to spend, it may be tempting not to, but let them buy whatever they want - offer some guidance and common sense help, but they did work for this money.

Giving:
Teach your kids the importance of tithing and helping others who are less fortunate.

Make Them Work For IT!!!

Who???? Your Kids!!! Stop GIVING them money....and please, please give them CHORES!!! Yes, chores those ancient tasks we had to do to justify taking up space in our mom's house!

I am blown away at the number of our youth that do not have to do anything except stick their hands out! Just giving them money does not teach them any kind of work ethic, nor set an example for them to guide their own children one day!

Now to teach them responsibility and money management there are chores they get paid to do and those they don't...see big mama's outline below:

Chores They Don't Get Paid For:

Cleaning their own rooms!!!!!

Younger Children: pick up thier toys

Age 7/8: Dust, clean mirrors, clean their own room, clean the bathroom,picking weeds out of the garden

Ages 9/10: Add washing dishes, sweeping the floor, begin to teach them how to properly mop. By the age of 10/11 they can begin learning how to cut grass. Yes, I know, it won't be those nice neat lines you like, but remember you are training and if you just can't take it, let them do a small section. You can also introduce washing clothes. Even if you sort them yourself and just have them to switch the loads.

Jr./Sr. High: By the time they reach this age your little darlings should have long since had a regular schedule for house cleaning assignments and have consequences for not doing them well.
At this point your child should know how to thoroughly clean a house, even if he or she seems allergic to the notion, they have been taught!

Chores They DO Get Paid For:

• Doing your household duties - cleaning your room, washing dishes on your day


• Cleaning out the garage/basement/other extremely cluttered areas


• Helping with major yardwork projects


• Cleaning out closets/re-organizing cabinets


• Other household projects that go above and beyond the call of duty

(see post: 'Paying Your Kids For Chores')

Softy #1: Oh no, my son/daughter will not wash the dishes (insert any task really) well, they'll either be broken or still dirty....

Taskmaster: You make him/or her do it over and over until they get it right!!!!

Softy #2: I'd rather do it myself and get it out of the way, plus they are just children let them enjoy their childhood.

Taskmaster: Childhood is to be enjoyed, but it is also preparation for adulthood....what are you preparing your child for if they don't acquire work habits in their youth? oooo pick me pick me....you are preparing them to live with you forever!!!

Now, here's my BALANCE tidbit. It is important to have a reasonable schedule. Often we are taking our kids to this practice or that game on top of homework, etc. It is important to have a schedule for chores so you don't do away with it altogether. Also, the chores should be fair, but firm and the expectation should be that they are done correctly or done over.

Also, for those of you who have housekeepers, still set aside some time for your children to wash dishes, do laundry, etc. It is important that they learn these skills.

Okay, one more thing. I think it is important to teach our son's and daughters the same household skills. Son's learn how to cook, daughters learn how to cut grass. Son's learn how to wash clothes, daughters take out the trash. The schedule rotates.