by j - Frugal Mom - r.
Member since:
March 28, 2007

Children and Chores

May 02, 2009 12:36 PM EDT
views: 128 | rating: 10/10 (20 votes) | comments: 24

When I was growing up, I had lots of chores, some of which I would get paid for and some that was just considered something you did as being part of the family. My brothers did mainly work with my dad, while I as the only daughter would do the household chores.

I really want to instill a work ethic in my children as well, but since we do not live on a farm, and since I only have boys there are no "boys" and "girls" task. My boys are only 3 and 6, but I still feel that they can do a lot of things to help make the household (ME) run easier. I hope that by letting them do certain cleaning tasks they will in time start appreciating all the cleaning I do, and maybe...just maybe they will think twice before they make a big mess or walk into the house with their shoes on. My husband doesn't clean, and the shoe part is something he at times forgets:)

Both of my sons help clear the table after a meal, and they clean up their toys every night after dinner.

My oldest son vacuums once a week in the living room, the kitchen and his rooms. My younger son helps him by turning on the vacuum, helping him pick up mess and toys etc.

The only chore that is paid is the vacuuming one, and my oldest son gets $1, while my youngest gets 5 cents. My oldest son earns money by doing great in school, and if he comes home with an award for something or a 100 on his spelling tests he will get an additional dollar.

 

How do your children earn pocket money, and what chores do they get paid for?

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Comments: 24

Kelly M. May 2, 2009, 12:39pm EDT
our kids do not get paid to do chores.
JoAnne D. May 2, 2009, 12:42pm EDT
Some of the children in the neighborhood apparently do not have after school chores, so they spend their time bother those who do. Therefore some children get in trouble for not having their chores done and of course a 10 year old should be able to control the activities of their friends in their home. Okay that was someone else talking whom I am mad at. as long as the request is reasonable for the age group and I see no problem with having "chores". Children should respect their home even if others don't.
Kati Mills May 2, 2009, 12:43pm EDT
Well, my son is only 8 months now, but in general I plan to model good work ethic to him by doing these things myself and encouraging him to help out. Take advantage of the "me do it!" phase, even if it's more trouble than help for a three year old to "help" with the dishes, it's a learning experience. I don't plan to connect chores with money, because I want him to understand that we do chores to keep our space nice and enjoyable, not to earn money. As far as spending money, I'll give him money when he needs it as finances permit as long as he's making reasonable requests, but I don't think money needs to be contingent on chores. When he gets old enough that he wants to do things that require extra spending money, I will give him a job to do for a certain amount of money that is something I would usually do (wash car, mow lawn) or encourage him to see if any neighbors are interested. :)
Stacey *Mamasaid* D. May 2, 2009, 12:51pm EDT
Everyday chores are expected and non compensated - my son is 10, daughter is 8. Cleaning their rooms, setting the table, picking up, homework, etc. are not paid chores. When their "daily" chores are complete, they can earn money with "special chores" such as vacuuming, mopping, shoveling snow and raking. I don't set a dollar amount but determine their pay based on initiative and effort (training for the real world :) One day my son shoveled everything without being asked, cleaned off the cars and put away the stuff and was shocked to get $5 (usually he gets about a dollar). His initiative (doing it without being asked) and thoroughness (job done from start to cleanup) was rewarded - that improved efficiency around here :)
.* Sandi * May 2, 2009, 12:52pm EDT
my kids dont get paid for being part of the family
we all have chores and at this point in their lives (15,18.27)
they knew from age 19 maybe younger how to cook, clean, do the wash, iron , sew, etc
they can run a house, I have all boys too,
only the 15 gets a allowance now, and he gets money taken away when he refuses to do his chores but if he wanted more money to earn, there are ways but being part of the family or doing school work to me should be done cause it is the "right" thing to do.
We had chores when I was younger too. We never got paid to do the chores and when we wanted "spending money" we had to get a job (ie I started babysitting and then got a "real" job at a fast food place).
Katrina Hall May 2, 2009, 1:03pm EDT
I was so terrible at insisting on chores! Good for you for holding to it............
Brittney R. May 2, 2009, 1:07pm EDT
Well Elliott helps clean toys, throws his own trash away, helps carry laundry, and is allowed to put certain dishes in the sink. Right now he doesn't associate money with chores or shopping...but we do give him our loose change to put into his bank. He absolutely loves it, and that will be his shopping money when we go on a trip.
Beth - Doing God's work Daily J. May 2, 2009, 1:09pm EDT
I did you chores and allowance when my kid was smaller.
Sheryl L. May 2, 2009, 1:16pm EDT
I think your way is fantastic. I also paid my kids for their chores and if they did good in school. I was once told by another parent that bribing my son to stop getting incompletes in one of his classes was bad. Six weeks later, he brought his grade up from an F to a C and the next semester he got an A in that class. I later told the person that rewards are better than yelling at the kid for doing bad. Her son got a C in that same class.
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. May 2, 2009, 1:20pm EDT
No kids (of the human variety) and no husband, so I don't have to worry about that.
kathleen w. May 2, 2009, 1:32pm EDT
I have my boyfriends kids on the weekends, dont know their weekly policy, but after much ahem...noisy debate dad is enforcing his 6 year old picking up after himself....and he 10 year old just needs reminding, the reward is treats etc mabe a meal at mcdonalds,,,,I had to threaten the 6 year old when his bazillion cat(diggers and stuff) toys ended up in the living room , I askd him to put themaway he slammed one and I said....hmmm I guess they are not worth anythingto you, so I will put them in a garbage bag in the shed for amonth if they are not nicely and politely put away with 5 minutes...well that worked, and he is getting much better than that.
I had chores as a kid, never reallly gotan allowance, my reward was cash for the mall etc to go out with friends, stuff like that....
C.L. R. May 2, 2009, 1:37pm EDT
We never paid for chores. We all worked together on almost everything we did--gave us a lot of time together and it made sure we covered teaching them everything there is to do around a house. We also sort of felt as a group (in our case a family) living together each pulling their own weight was a good value to teach.

So we gave them an "allowance" as a teaching tool of how to handle money--saving/spending/sharing.

We also found other ways for them to earn money--little outside jobs with neighbors or family and also the baked and sold things to friends.
Marianne R. May 2, 2009, 1:47pm EDT
I was paid for chores as a kid.
I didn't ever pay my son for routine chores, but when he was old enough to mow the lawn, etc. he got paid. I always expected him to help with dishes, etc. but beyond that.. I should have asked for more, but did not!
Renee S. May 2, 2009, 2:12pm EDT
I thinks kids should have chores. Mine are 15 and 16 and they each have certain chores they are expected to do every Saturday. My son does his now without having to be asked. I still have to remind my daughter, but it does help the house to run more smoothly.
Nora C. May 2, 2009, 6:40pm EDT
The only formal chore my daughter has is to clean up all of her toys. However she also always likes to help dust and do dishes. She's only three, so she's sometimes more work than help, but like others, I don't want to discourage the efforts. Currently there is no pay involved, but she does occasionally get random spare change to put in her piggy bank.
Kat W. May 2, 2009, 6:58pm EDT
My kids are paid for some chores and like you are doing with your kids there are things they do not get paid to do. I was raised the same way.
Lee P. May 2, 2009, 7:39pm EDT
It's been too long, it's hard to remember. I think keeping their room clean was the only really required chore from me. I wasn't a big one on making them do house stuff, as I'm too hard to please and it was easier to do it myself. LOL
Monica H. May 3, 2009, 12:34am EDT
I don't really pay them yet for chores. I may when they get a little older though. Mine are 5 and (almost 3). There have been occasions though, that their Daddy will give them both a dollar to have just because. They will run around the house with smiles on their faces like they are so rich. ha ha ha
Kati Mills May 4, 2009, 12:41pm EDT
Oh, by the way, I wasn't paid for chores as a kid, and I still did them. It was just considered part of life! If I wanted to earn some money I'd tell my mom and she'd give me a "job" to do.
Of course, there are chores I don't like that I put off, and chores that I don't really consider chores at all (cooking is one of those-- I've been cooking since I was about 8)
Dagmara H. May 5, 2009, 12:15pm EDT
I used to do a lot of chores when I was living with my parents. When I was at the high school, my mom got sick and I was doing almost everything, but at least now I know how to cook and take care of the household
Rose H. May 5, 2009, 2:15pm EDT
I had chores without pay, but I got an allowance when I turned nine.
Sandra L. May 8, 2009, 12:11am EDT
We did not get an allowance for doing chores or anything else. My kids did help me around the house and when they needed something they got it. If it was something they wanted, they usually got it if it was within our means to get it for them.

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