Chores....the dreaded "C" word...at least it is around my house. I grew up doing chores. I remember standing on a chair to wash dishes when I was too little to reach the sink. My sister and I set the table, cleared the table, washed the dishes, dried them and put them away, swept the floors, vacuumed...we had chores to do every day. There was no whining about it, either. You did was what asked, and you did it with a smile on your face.My kids do chores. Kasi does the laundry, Ryan is in charge of the dishes, and Brandi loves to clean the bathroom. (I am thinking of having her tested, because that's not normal for a seven year old!) They also have to pick up their toys from the living room, and help clean up the yard. I don't make them keep their rooms "spotless"...it's there space, and if they want to live like slobs, well, that's their problem. I do, however, every few weeks make them do a good clean up in there, just to make sure all the dirty laundry is found.
I do not give my kids an allowance. I am thinking that maybe the time is coming where Ryan and Kasi deserve one, but I don't want them to think I am paying them for the things they do around the house. They help out because it is their home too, and I am not their maid. I'm thinking of making a list of chores I regularly do, and if they do any of those along with their regular chores, that they can earn some cash. I usually let them spend a dollar or two whenever we go to Walmart, so it's not like they never get anything. But, there are things I refuse to buy, so if the kids had a way of making some money to save up for the things they have to have, then it would mean more to them.
So let me ask you...do you give your kids an allowance? If so, how much? If not, what are your reasons?
I know I am not the only one out there who thinks this way.
8 comments:
I don't have kids but when I was a kid I did chores and got 50 cents a week. I made my bed and helped with the dishes. Now, at the time I had friends who got $5 a week for doing nothing. It did teach me that you have to do something to earn money and that it isn't just given to you, just because. I agree that it may be a good idea to have a list of extra chores they can do to make a bit of spending money as long as their regular chores are not forgotten.
We didn't really get allowances as kids. It was more like if we did what we were supposed to, we got to do what we wanted.
Aidan is still young but he has certain 'chores' he does: cleaning up his playroom and room, putting some of his clothes away, showering, feeding the dog (he loves this!), and other things. When he does he gets 'treats' or we go do something. Though the hubby does give all his pocket change to him for his bank and once a month we go cash it in and he can have ice cream or whatever.
I don't have kids of my own but when I was a kid, we got allowance. Not all lot, but something. We were taught to tithe our allowance and to save up for things we wanted to do. I think kids should get an allowance to teach them money management early on and develop a habit of saving. I used to save half my allowance and spend the other half. When I got older, I never spent more than I had so never had credit debt. We also had to keep track of what we spent our money on. Kind of training for balancing a checkbook.
Very good question. I find todays kids are very different than when we were growing up.
I gave my kids allowance, but sporatically. When we had a bit of extra money. If they did extra, then sometimes I'd pay them. Like you said it's their house too.
But like you, if we happened to be out, and they saw something small I'd get it for them. Not always, but only if they were good that week.
I remember one time they wanted a super nintendo, and well we're never ones to just go out and get it, so I gave them the job of rolling up all our coins from the change jar, pennys, nickles and dimes. And help bring the bottles back, as well as my parents bottles. Stuff like that added up alot.
I think stuff like that makes them a lil more aware that things dont always come easy.
Having said that, they were both brought up the same. I have one that is a major penny pincher. And one that spends money like she has it.
Who really knows the right answer.
We don't give out allowance. I feel they should help out without getting something. It kinda works. We have to ask a lot and I nag a lot. I had thought that by the time they reached being a teenager that they would just remember and do things. But no they still don't remember Tuesday is garbage day and the garbage needs to go up by the road or that when the garbage is picked up the cans need to go back by the garage. I have to say something. I do give them money for what they want or need. Never as much as they want.
Do mine get an allowance?
Not really in the hand them x amount of money each week.
Do I think they should?
Sort of, but I don't think I should have to ask or tell them to do this, this, and this over and over until it's done & still hand over money. Seriously if I ask my oldest to pick up something our puppies have drug into the yard he says well I don't know where you keep the Wal-Mart bags, I can't pick up trash till you get me a bag. If I'm going to get the bag I may as well do it myself & the bags are in the same place they've always been in ;)
I think they should do it regardless, like you said they live here too and I'm not their maid.
One of my son's friends was bragging to him the chores he does & the allowance he gets. So my son wants to do that so he can spend his money anyway he wants to. EXCEPT his friends parents ( I know this cause she is one of my friends too) buy this kid nothing, other then his needed school uniforms, b-day gifts & Christmas gifts. Anything he wants above & beyond this he has to pay for, movies, video games, toys, anything has to come out of his pocket.
I tried to explain that to my 12 yr old, he thinks he is going to earn some & buy a few things and we will still do everything fo rhim that we do, take him to the movies, on trips buy him something, buy video games occassionally etc.
My hubby told them they don't need an allowance, we buy them everything they need & sometimes want for as it is.
I have been giving them a $1 here or there if they've done something without me having to ask or tell them 50 times to say clean their room. I just don't knwo where the middle ground should be or is around here either!!
Oh I forgot!
Another friend gives her 11 yr old $7 a week.
He has to put away his clean folded laundry (which she leaves on his bed for him) and gather all the small trash (like bathrooms etc) on trash night.
My kids have been putting away their own laundry since they were 4 or 5 (my youngest only has to do his undies & pj's then I add more as they get older) I don't think I should pay them $7 a week or more to do something that I think they should do without pay.
i didn't give my kids allowances. i would give them money every once in awhile if i had some extra and i thought they deserved it. i also feel that everyone in the house should work as a team to keep the house up. if there is something that you see that needs to be done, just do it. it shouldn't have to be asked of you. and seriously, how much time is it really going to take or how much strain is it really going to be on you. that's my thinking.
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