[maria4040]

Just wondering your thoughts on kids pocket money. I have children 2, 4 and 6 and the older two are always wanting me to buy toys EVERY time we go shopping, which I do not, but I wanted to start a star chart or similiar with some kind of monetary reward for the piggy bank each week, so they can "have" their own money to buy themselves a car or a doll or whatever.

Any thoughts? I don't want to "pay" them for working, as they do little chores already, but I want them to understand how money works too.

Thank you

[GGPa]

We have a small wooden "treasure chest."

When my 7-year-old and I go to buy the groceries for the week, the difference between what we spend and what is budgeted goes into the treasure chest. Incidental toys, junk food, and impromptu meals out are paid for out of the treasure chest.

She's getting REALLY good at both math and thrift!

--GGPa

[twinzplus3]

We do a point chart. We started when my kids were that age. . .well with the 4 and 6 yo.

I am kind of wondering why you don't want to pay them for doing chores if you don't mind my asking? It makes sense to me that kids need to learn that they can't just have 'free' money just for being. . .that they have to work to earn it. I don't pay them for every chore that they do--some things they just have to do just like I have to do the laundry or dad has to do the dishes. But if they don't work for their money. . .they don't get paid and when we go on our 'big shopping day' they don't have as much to spend.

[maria4040]

Thanks for your replies, I was sort of thinking that I want them to be part of our family in a way that they need to help with the running of our family, and not be paid for everything that they do.

So that they know that they have certain things they need to do to make our family run smoothly, but I also want to (as you say) work to earn their money, so they understand it.

I have done two charts up and have 3-4 jobs each day for the week, that they can do, easy ones like tidy room, make bed, clear table etc, I have decided to laminate them ( Ii have a cars disney character on one and a barbie princess on the other), then each day when they do the chore I will draw a smiley face in the box (will wipe off clean at the end of each week). When all boxes are full at the end of the week, they will get say $ 5.00 ( yet to be determined).

If they complain or don't finish a chore I will put a sad face in it, (or stickers, yet to be finalised too lol), if at the end of the week they don't have ALL smiley faces, they will only get half of the weekly money. I still want them to get something, I am having a lot of complaining from them during pack up times etc so I hope this is not too harsh, but we will give it a go.

Thank you

[twinzplus3]

I gotcha. Yes--we're the same way--there are basic chores and then ones for which they can earn money.

One thing we've done that I've found to be motivating is that we let them choose a few toys and then I copy and paste the pictures under a heading called GOALS. We assign point values to the toys but I don't think it really matters. The idea is that they have a few specific somethings that they're saving for. I've found that having the visual curbs the desire to spend $1 here or there but to really save towards something.

[GGPa]

Originally Posted by maria4040

Thanks for your replies, I was sort of thinking that I want them to be part of our family in a way that they need to help with the running of our family, and not be paid for everything that they do.

That's for sure! GiGi (short for GreatGrand) keeps her room spotless (first at my insistance -- now without prompting). That is unpaid -- we pick up after ourselves before bed every night.

The Treasure Chest is for Mad Money . . . things that WE want to do. If that means an addition to her troll collection or a stop at McDonalds -- that's fine.

But I am the money dispenser when it comes to larger amounts and items. My good will is earned by her attitude, consideration, and helpfulness. That worked for her mother and grandmother and it's working for her.

--GGPa

[Karo_lina]

Paying your children to do something in the house can go totally wrong ...
After a time your child won't do anything if you don't pay.
A successfull question you can ask your child back is " And who pays me for washing, cleaning, cooking ?" Your child can learn in that way that everybody has to do certain things, because it has to be done.