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Kids Chores & Allowances

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I have been trying to decide between two options: an allowance that the kids receive because they're "my kids", and a wage that they receive for work they have done.  I finally came down on the side of wage-earning.  I want my kids to understand where money comes from, and I don't want them getting the idea that all they have to do is hold out their hand, and money will fall in it.  Not that we've ever given that idea, but you know what I mean.


So here's the system we've developed.  I've given them several cards on which I have written the chores that they have to do.  Being 7, 6, and 3, these are things like "make your bed," "pick up all the dirty clothes," and "pick up toys."  Matthew has a job of taking out the trash and feeding the dog and straightening up the bathroom.  Annie has to take the clothes out of the dryer and vacuum.  Some of these cards I give them once a week, other cards they have every day.  (It's nice because I can just hand them the cards whenever I want them to do the job.)  Each card, when turned back in (with job complete), is worth one token.  They also receive a token for each school subject they complete.

Tokens can be taken away, and they are not given when the job is done in a grudging manner, or with whining.  At the end of the week, we pay them for each token they have.  Each token is worth $.05.  They have the possibity of earning around $3.75 per week.  It's not much, but is probably in proportion to our income, lol!

We have envelopes for them to divide their money.  We insist that they use 10% for tithe, and %10 for a long-term saving.  They also put %10 percent into an envelope towards something they are saving for (Matthew wants a Nintendo DS).  The rest is theirs to spend, or to put towards whatever they are saving for.

So far, this is working really well.  It gives them all a motivation for the work they have to do, and has given me and Jeremy an excellent consequence to put into effect for misbehavior.  Matthew is drooling over this DS, and so it is very effective to remind him that we will take a token away for "x" behavior.  Andrew even understands that tokens get taken away for whining.

I really am praying that they can learn to be more wise with their money than Jeremy & I have often been.

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Summer is here...finally

Okay, so I love going and doing things and being busy and productive. I am the type of person who would rather be out, around people, doing stuff than staying at home. (Incidentally, my husband is exactly the opposite! He'd rather stay home any day of the week...)

BUT

I am GLAD that summer is finally here! Again, please don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the things that we do...Jeremy & I take commitments very seriously, and before we agree or sign up to do something, we want to make sure that we can do it well and with our whole hearts. For example, I love children's choir...I love adult choir...Jeremy loves the sound system...see what I mean? These are good things.

But everyone needs a time to rest and recuperate, especially after a very busy season. Which is what we have been through for the last two months. We have been going and going and going...like the Energizer Bunny. The house is a wreck! Laundry is out of control (have you ever heard "Mom, I don't have any clean underwear..."). The kitchen is...well...you get the point.

So we are taking a couple of weeks OFF. Not from school, though, because the kids are excited about starting their new grades (more on that later), but otherwise, we are doing only the bare minimum. It has been a nice week, being able to stay at home, relax, and enjoy each other. We even have a whole Saturday where we don't have to get up and be somewhere!!! It's amazing! =)

So, here's to hard work - and the relaxation that follows it!

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