This past week, we decided to introduce chore charts into our daily routine:
I know for many families, they work terrific and for many families, they don’t work at all. So we are just going to have to see how well it works for us and see if we can get the kids used to following a check list and doing their daily chores. It is my dream to one day be able to ask them to do their chores and then they will go and accomplish everything they are assigned without me having to push them along every single step of the way. Big dream, I know. Probably won’t happen, but for now just let me dream.
We also introduced them to the idea of an “allowance”. If they complete all of their chores for a week we will pay them a small allowance. I know some people don’t think that you should pay your kids to do what they should already be doing, but let’s be real. Who doesn’t love a little incentive? I know I do. And besides, this way, when we go to the store and they ask for candy or a toy, I can just say, “If you want that, you are going to have to use your own money.” So far, they seem to love the idea of this. This first week has gone pretty well. I have only had to really put heavy pressure on them to complete their chores a few times. They LOVE getting to check off an item on their list. They were ecstatic about receiving their first allowance and immediately wanted to spend it. So I took them by the Dollar Tree after school and they had a blast paying for their own special item.
Even Layton reaped some of the benefits. Mandy was very generous in sharing some of her candy lip gloss with him:
How Cute! Love the one of Layton getting all Pretty! I just started a new idea for my kids. I have to start a new idea every few weeks cause my kids get tired and lazy... new ideas alway sparks them to do work with a smile!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck! Looks like you off to a great start! I bet your house and the kids teeth are sparkling clean!
I hope that it works well for you. We are always trying new ways to try to motivate the girls to do chores. Most don't work for us :(
ReplyDeleteKatheryn, I think the allowance for doing the chores is an EXCELLENT idea. That's how "real work" is, isn't it? You work, thereby earning money, then you have to use what you earned for prescribed expenditures and other spending. Mandy and Dallin will have fun learning eternal principles, i.e., you need to earn what is worthwhile, and you can't have everything you want immediately.
ReplyDeleteHopefully I can remember this good idea when Seth is old enough to help besides "organizing" his drawers...
I always spent my entire allowance on candy (no surprise to anyone who knows me I'm sure). I like it, good luck!
ReplyDeleteAre those curls at the bottom of Layton's hair? His seems to be coming in more like Mandy's than Dallins... or maybe it's just the picture.