Chores and allowance ideas

[SimplyComplex]

Hey all,

My DH and I want to start implementing paid chores for our 6 year old. We think shes ready to start learning how to earn her own spending money and how to save for "big" items, etc. I'd like to hear your ideas for getting started. Do you have a chart system? do you pay per chore or do you pay a flat rate per week/bi weekly for the chores done for that time? How much is fair for a 6 year old? Here are the chores we would have her do: Make bed, brush teeth (AM & PM), clean up toys (Living room & her room), keep dirty cloths picked up, homework (reading practice, numbers) and "extra chores".

Thanks in advance for your input and ideas

 

[gracefulone1980]

My kids (7 and 6) pretty much have the same chores as you listed above. They do help set and clean up the table after meals as well, but they do it together. We give them a small allowance bi-weekly when daddy gets paid. =o) Sometimes they get it and sometimes they don't.

 

[lucypevensie]

We have a "payday" for them about once per week or once per 2 weeks, just depends on how we've been blessed that month. It could be anything from $2 a week to $10 a week. They don't get paid for each and every chore they do. I don't want to have to keep track of everything they do every day, and what's the definition of a chore? Homework? eh, not really. Picking up your stuff? I guess. There are many things you do just because you live here and you need to contribute to well being of the family. Then there are the times they do helpful things that no one really noticed. Bummer, but it happens. We do try to reward them for doing over and above what's expected, and sometimes we just randomly suprise them with a little extra, just because.

I know it doesn't sound like much of a solid plan, but I found that any time I made a solid plan in this matter, something just didn't work out like it was supposed to.

 

[UncleDave]

My 9-year-old gets $1 per weekday for doing his chores. These do not include homework, etc., which he's required to do anyway. Things like rolling out the trash & recycling bins on trash day, feeding the dog & letting her out, practicing his instrument (needed some incentive there, lol), etc. I'm considering adding "bonuses" for unusual things he offers to do on his own, such as helping bake or prepare dinner, etc, but haven't added that yet.

 

[Violetsrblue]

It's almost identicle at our house to Lucy's. We've also tried to make a plan and it's never really worked out. I suppose the biggest difference here is that my two get extra chores if they've been bad. And they definitely don't get paid for those.

 

[JaneFW]

We don't "pay" for chores. As far as we are concerned, our children do chores because they are part of a family, and we all live in the same house. Each child has chores according to his ability/age, and the main part are done at the weekend. The boys clean their bathroom themselves, and bedrooms, and they do some cleaning downstairs. Other than that, they clean up after meals and take out trash/recycling. The younger two children do get an allowance, but it is not linked to chores - unless they dont do chores, and then we will consider taking it away. Their allowance is two times their age, and they get it once a month. For example, the youngest is 11, and gets $22 per month; the middle boy is 15 and gets $30. The eldest, who is an adult, does not get an allowance, but he does get to live at home and not pay bills, which is a pretty good deal. He also has chores.

 

[mamawolf]

look up resposibuilders it has helped my kids learn the idea of chores and in turn the importance of helping out i have 3 kid s ages 7 5 and 4 and all 3 do chores and the y get a quarter for every card completed. in our house homework is an expected thing as well as brushing teeth they dont get paid for those but for helping with dishes cleaning up toys and clothes helping fold and put away laundry i dont expect them to make their beds because i dont make mine