Kindergarten & School Age

[JacksMom]

Has anyone started an allowance program with their children when they were Kindergarteners?  I'd like to start something simple like "make your bed everyday and help clear the dinner table"  Any useful tips? 

[gypsymommy]

We set up a system of required chores, with a set allowance ($5 per week at our house), such as setting and clearing the table, helping fold/put away the laundry, picking up toys, etc.   These chores are not negotiable, and are something that everyone has to pitch in with, as a part of our household.

On top of those required chores, we have an optional chore chart with some more complicated or ickier duties - taking the garbage and recycling out, cleaning the cat boxes, helping clean the bathroom, etc.  These are priced by item (usually about 50 cents per task).  We use a laminated chart so our son can check off these chores and count up his earnings at the end of the week.

Now that my son is earning his own money, we do make him buy his own toys (or Yu-Gi-Oh cards).  For big-ticket items that the whole family will use, we usually offer to pay half.  That's how I got my Wii! 

[JacksMom]

Thanks for the ideas.  Sounds like a great system you have.

[jarmesan]

Hello -

We have a chore chart in our home as well - it includes:

• get yourself dressed
• put your clothesin the laundry
• brush your own teeth
• brush your own hair
• put your dishes by the sink
• make your bed
• get your clothes out for the next day
• putting toys in their room away
• taking shoes off and hanging up coat when they come home
• 20 min of homework (we have a timer) - they can read books, work on school work, site words, make thank you cards, etc

at this time we are not doing it for allowance - though I am thinking about introducing that soon. We do it for 'time' to do what they like - a 'choice activity' - whether it be computer game or watching TV. They only get 1 hour a day - and they have to earn it. Again  - I bought timers so when they do all their 'chores' - they get time to do the Choice Activity.

Also - if they are having a day where they need discipline - I take 15 min increments away from Choice Activity time.

It has never been so easy to get them to do what I expect them to do - it is a win-win for all!

now I will have to start figuring out a plan for allowance too!

[Clare B]

On each of our children's' birthdays, my husband and I give that child the gift of a "new responsibility". Their added responsibility is basically a chore that benefits themselves and the family. We talk about how that's an important part of a family team. When they were very young, we gave them something simple like setting the table, folding towels or making their bed. It didn't matter how perfect the job was completed and with time they got better at it and were proud to have the skill/specialty.

As they got older I'd ask them what responsibility they would like to take on or I'd give them a choice of appropriate responsibilities. By they time they were 12 years old, they were all doing their own laundry and helping out in lots other ways around the house.

We also started giving them a small allowance around the age when they started elementary school. The allowance has never been associated with the chores - they get it each week  whether or not they follow through on their responsibility. As teens, there are times when their busy schedules keeps them from cutting the grass or they might not be home when the dishwasher needs emptying but they then need to make a plan to get it done by asking someone else to help out or trade a responsibility. Their allowance has increased a little bit on their birthday as well bc of their added responsibility.

You might consider your son's strengths and interests when determining the appropriate responsibility/chore. For example, does he like to sort things? -ask him if he'd like to empty the utensils from the dishwasher into the silverware drawer.

We find  that our kids succeed in fulfilling their responsibilities when expectations are clear and consistent, we give appropriate praise/appreciation and let them know how important their contribution is to themselves and the family.

I'm sure you'll find a solution that your son will be excited about. good luck.

[WRKMOM]

Growing up, my brothers and I were given jobs at home (same as chores) we received pay like you would at a regular job. If we didn't do our job, we were docked pay, and sometimes even fired for a week at a time. We did use our money to buy our own toys, it was a great lesson overall.  I plan on doing this with my children as they get a little older.  It gives them an understanding of why we work for money and how it works.

[griffithfam5]

I am currently using your method with my daughters.  They have to keep their rooms and bathroom cleaned to receive a weekly allowance.  If they choose to do additional chores, they can receive additional money.  If they choose to not do any of these things, then they receive nothing.  This really helps them to learn the value of a dollar.  They have to work for it. 

[Caty]

This is a nice article that discusses teaching children about the value of money. It has some great ideas for how/when to give a child an allowance, how much to give, and how children can earn it. I hope you find this helpful!

Does Money Grow on Trees: Teaching Children about Money

[EricaB]

We started a check book system with our children. They each have their own "checkbook" with a register and blank checks. Each week they earn a $2 deposit into their checkbooks by completing their chores- setting the table, making their beds, emptying the bathroom garbages, etc. If they misbehave, they have to write a check to me and subtract it from their account. We found this to be a great way to practice addition (and sometimes subtraction) with the children as well.

[purplefroggy13]

I started giving my kids an allowance at about that age.  Chores included making their bed (not very well, but they have to start somewhere), and basically cleaning up after themselves (in their rooms and any other place they were playing).  As they got older I gradually added more chores such as clearing their plate, emptying wastebaskets on garbage day, feeding the cat, etc. 

The important thing we stress is that they are not being paid to do jobs. Chores are part of their contribution as members of our family, with or without money,  Their allowance is given also as part of being a member of the family, to teach them about saving, etc.

Our formula for amount is 1/2 their age per week (i.e. 5y/o = $2.50/week).

Hope this helps.  It works for us!