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I pay my kids every two weeks for doing their chores. This is something I’ve done for the last few years, and here’s why.
There is a constant debate over whether you should pay your kids for doing their chores. Shouldn’t they just do things that help around the house that they live in? Shouldn’t they just do things that they’re going to have to do for free in the future?
Well, yes and no. When it comes to the chores* I pay for, it’s the ones that are on top of the basics of keeping their room tidy and picking up after themselves. It’s the extra tasks that are done on a weekly basis that make my life a little easier.
Here are the chores that I pay my kids to do
I make sure that the tasks are extras. They have the choice to do them if they want, but if they want their allowance for the week, those tasks need to be done. They are age-appropriate chores.
My 12-year-old will do the laundry and my eight-year-old with do the dusting. They both unload and reload the dishwasher over the weekends that they are with me and not at their dad’s.
For this, they get $5 every two weeks each. It’s not a lot, but it’s the start. It’s the lesson they learn in this that it important.
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Kids learn the value of money with their chores
I want to make sure my children learn the value of money. They need to understand that not everything is available, and that it takes time and effort to save up for some things. I and their dad have to work to earn money for the house and everything we all need, so they need to “work” to earn their pocket money.
If they want more money, they can do extra tasks. There have been times they’ve chosen to do that. I also offer them more money for tasks if I see something comes up, and they have the choice to do those tasks or not. If they choose not to, they don’t get the money.
They are still learning to be part of a family
I don’t pay my kids for every chore* that they do, though. They need to learn to look after their own things and be part of the family. The daily tidying up after themselves and the organizing of their school items are just daily tasks that get done. If they allow their rooms to get messy, it’s up to them to tidy up. It’s on them if they can’t find something because they’ve let it get messy. Although, I will remind the eight-year-old because she’s only eight!
There are times that I have to get everyone downstairs to tidy up the dining room table because there is something of everyone’s on it. Or there will be times that I ask for a quick hand to carry something a little heavier. Those are just tasks that are helpful ones, so they learn ways that they can make life easier for someone else—especially that someone who drives them to all their activities!
There isn’t a right or wrong answer when it comes to paying your kids for chores, though. If you can’t afford it, don’t offer it. Give them a chance to learn what it is to be part of a family—I think this is important from a young age and it’s why I don’t pay for every single chore. As they get older and they want their own spending money, you can always revisit the option.
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Do you pay your kids for their chores? Share your thoughts in the comments below.