Allowance for Chores
Do you or don’t you give an allowance for chores? Parents have debated this topic for years. Should you give your child an allowance for chores? Is this a wise direction to go? Do you want your child to associate money with doing something he or she should already be doing?
Shouldn’t your child be responsible for some chores around the house without being paid for doing them? Or, should your child be paid for doing all chores around the house?
This is a major dilemma debated between any set of parents. Any set of parents? One parent may feel one way and the other parent may feel the other way. ;o) To give or not to give an allowance for chores, now that’s a loaded question!
There’s an Ancient Chinese Wisdom that says “every journey begins with one step.” Let’s substitute the word “journey” with the word “decision.” Now that Ancient Chinese Wisdom says “every decision begins with one step.” So, why don’t we take that one step together now? ;o)
Let’s look at the words “allowance” and “chores” separately. “Allowance” can be defined as a “regular giving of money.” “Chores” are defined as “daily or routine tasks.” Why are we stringing those words, allowance for chores, together in the first place?
As a member of a family, a child should be expected to do some chores. All family members contribute to a family’s well being. Moms and Dads don’t get paid for shopping for food or driving their kids to sports or other activities, like dance or karate. And what about those sleepovers and play dates? No, parents don’t get paid to do those chores! ;o)
Kids shouldn’t be paid to do some chores. There are plenty of “daily or routine tasks” that a child can do, even one that is very young.
Make your bed in the morning. Get the mail from your mailbox. Take the garbage out at night (make sure its in those easy-to-carry tight-closing bags). Help Mom and Dad carry in light-weight packages from the car or next door to a neighbor’s place. Set the dinner table. Feed your pet. These chores should not be rewarded by an allowance. These chores are performed because the child is part of a family unit.
If you want to give your child money, an allowance for chores, then have your child earn this money by performing specifically requested extra chores/tasks, such as cleaning out the garage, painting the fence or sweeping all the leaves in front of your home. What about helping you serve refreshments to your friends or entertaining your friends’ smaller children during a visit?
Money should not be expected, but earned! Giving a child an allowance for chores creates a sense of money entitlement and dismisses the importance of a family working together as a unit.
Besides, you want your kids to have a good handle on how to create income, manage it, invest it, give some away, and how to make money work for them rather than have them work for money.
Teach your kids that if they want money, they have to think of a way to create it. Get them to think of extra chores/tasks where they can earn money. Don’t give an allowance for chores.
I bet you’re asking yourself this question: “How will my children have money if they don’t get an allowance for chores?” I have an answer for that. ;o)
Here is a FREE ebook “Allowance Secrets: To Give or Not To Give” where the top 25 “kids and money” experts, family coaches, and highly successful entrepreneurs share their personal opinions and tips on whether or not to give your children an allowance. Read what they have to say about combining an allowance for chores.
Here’s to empowering our kids to be Clever with their Dough and have the positive self-esteem needed to live happy fulfilling lives as adults! ;o)
Cheers … Amanda van der Gulik … Excited Life Enthusiast! ;o)
Shouldn’t your child be responsible for some chores around the house without being paid for doing them? Or, should your child be paid for doing all chores around the house?
This is a major dilemma debated between any set of parents. Any set of parents? One parent may feel one way and the other parent may feel the other way. ;o) To give or not to give an allowance for chores, now that’s a loaded question!
There’s an Ancient Chinese Wisdom that says “every journey begins with one step.” Let’s substitute the word “journey” with the word “decision.” Now that Ancient Chinese Wisdom says “every decision begins with one step.” So, why don’t we take that one step together now? ;o)
Let’s look at the words “allowance” and “chores” separately. “Allowance” can be defined as a “regular giving of money.” “Chores” are defined as “daily or routine tasks.” Why are we stringing those words, allowance for chores, together in the first place?
As a member of a family, a child should be expected to do some chores. All family members contribute to a family’s well being. Moms and Dads don’t get paid for shopping for food or driving their kids to sports or other activities, like dance or karate. And what about those sleepovers and play dates? No, parents don’t get paid to do those chores! ;o)
Kids shouldn’t be paid to do some chores. There are plenty of “daily or routine tasks” that a child can do, even one that is very young.
Make your bed in the morning. Get the mail from your mailbox. Take the garbage out at night (make sure its in those easy-to-carry tight-closing bags). Help Mom and Dad carry in light-weight packages from the car or next door to a neighbor’s place. Set the dinner table. Feed your pet. These chores should not be rewarded by an allowance. These chores are performed because the child is part of a family unit.
If you want to give your child money, an allowance for chores, then have your child earn this money by performing specifically requested extra chores/tasks, such as cleaning out the garage, painting the fence or sweeping all the leaves in front of your home. What about helping you serve refreshments to your friends or entertaining your friends’ smaller children during a visit?
Money should not be expected, but earned! Giving a child an allowance for chores creates a sense of money entitlement and dismisses the importance of a family working together as a unit.
Besides, you want your kids to have a good handle on how to create income, manage it, invest it, give some away, and how to make money work for them rather than have them work for money.
Teach your kids that if they want money, they have to think of a way to create it. Get them to think of extra chores/tasks where they can earn money. Don’t give an allowance for chores.
I bet you’re asking yourself this question: “How will my children have money if they don’t get an allowance for chores?” I have an answer for that. ;o)
Here is a FREE ebook “Allowance Secrets: To Give or Not To Give” where the top 25 “kids and money” experts, family coaches, and highly successful entrepreneurs share their personal opinions and tips on whether or not to give your children an allowance. Read what they have to say about combining an allowance for chores.
Here’s to empowering our kids to be Clever with their Dough and have the positive self-esteem needed to live happy fulfilling lives as adults! ;o)
Cheers … Amanda van der Gulik … Excited Life Enthusiast! ;o)