How much is the going rate? And what type of chores do your kids do? Any suggestions on a 5 yr old girl and 3 yr old boy? My daughter puts her clothes away in drawers (I hang up the rest). She also has to help put the dishes in the sink, but not the dishwasher. Both are asked to help clean-up. Appreciate your suggestions!
Hmmm. . .interesting comments. Let me explain why I asked this question. I haven’t been giving my kids an allowance, yet they have been assisting mommy and daddy with helping around the house, such as helping cook dinner, put their dishes in the sink, clean up toys, etc. My daughter was expanding her assistance by helping with the laundry. Because of this extra help, I gave her $1. My son (who turns 3 on Wednesday) also did something small and got a $1. They both have bank accounts that birthday money goes into. I was just curious as to what chores other kids did and how much money they receive. Sorry, Doc, I can’t afford to give my kids $100 a week.
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Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 at 6:51 pm
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April 22nd, 2010 at 7:14 pm
my daughter is two and half she is expected to pick her toys up after she plays, wash her hands after bathroom, eatting and be polite in return we reward her with fun activities example swimming, money for her piggy bank just loose change, shopping for toys i have no problems with her.
we prob wont start a steady allowance with money until she turns 7.
April 22nd, 2010 at 7:48 pm
I start giving my children an allowance at 8 years old and I give them some chores too. I pay them $100.00 a week they have to put $30 away in savings.
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Allowances aren’t a requirement of being a parent or kid.
Here are the five fundamental rules of allowances:
Start early. While many parents have a hard time deciding when to begin, a good rule is: start them off as early as you can. Studies have shown that kids as young as 3 understand the concept of money and are eager to learn more about it.
Determine an appropriate amount. How much to give? Many experts recommend calculating what you spend on your child every month and then determining which expenses he or she will be responsible for covering. (These might include school lunches, clothing costs or entertainment expenses.) Give your child enough to cover weekly expenses, as well as some extra money to save or spend on other things.
Be consistent. The way you approach children’s allowances can teach them a great deal about responsible money management. To ensure that they understand the importance of fulfilling financial obligations, make sure to pay regularly and on time!
Help them track their expenses. Initially most children run through their allowances without knowing exactly where the money has gone. If this happens, take the opportunity to explain about budgeting. Sit down with them and make a list of regular expenses so they can begin tracking spending.
Keep chores separate. If you make your child’s allowance contingent on the completion of chores, you send the wrong message. Housework is a family responsibility and children should not be paid for pitching in. Experts agree, however, that offering kids an occasional opportunity to do “extra-credit” work around the house in exchange for pocket money helps teach the value of working.
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:44 pm
My kids used to follow me around the house, while I was cleaning up. When my kids were old enough to ask me for money to spend, I started giving them little chores, they could help me with: vacuuming the living room, dusting. Each little chore had a price, depending on their age and abilities…we started with $1 per chore, per room, and then it went to $5 per room, etc.
I also used money, as incentive to get good marks on their report cards ! (I know, shameless !) For every “A” they got $1. That was great, until the grades where everything from “reading” to “not talking in class when the teacher was talking” had a letter mark !!
When they got to high school, however, they wanted $5 per “A” !!!
I never gave them an actual allowance. When they wanted more than the “A” money, and didn’t want to do house chores, they went out and got jobs. I helped them open savings accounts, and with the money they earned, half the money went into their accounts, half the money was available, to them, to spend.
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:45 pm
I didn’t start until 8th or 9th grade. Prior to that he could earn money by doing extra chores if there was something he wanted. As far as regular stuff that kids do. We took care of that.
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:39 pm
The 3yo, I would have him help me pick up things off the floor and put them away or put them in the trash. I wouldn’t give him an allowance just yet, but I’d get him used to helping me around the house. If he likes certain treats, I’d have him help around the house just a little (maybe 15 mins to 1/2 an hour) and then give him his treat.
The 5yo is ready for bigger tasks, like helping fold and put away her own clothes, as well as picking up items around the house and putting them back where they belong. She can also help put away folded towels. Her, I would start giving an allowance because when she goes to the store with her mom she always sees something she wants to buy. If it’s not her birthday or Christmas, have her buy it with her own money.
Going rate for the 5yo – I would give out dollar bills for X amount of work. She probably doesn’t understand what a 5 dollar bill is yet. But a dollar – and change, she knows what that means. Make sure she has a bank to put it in and that you keep control of the bank. For now.
This is the way life works. You have to earn what you want (unless you’re born into a filthy rich family, but then the stock market crashes and – boom, you’re working).
It all depends on maturity. My roommate’s 5yo son is very mature for his age and already a little bachelor. He’ll be cooking meals and doing laundry on his own by the time he’s 12. He’s very precise and rules-oriented. I see a career in the military in his future, but his mother’s a new age hippie. Go figure.
Anyway, I think you’re on the right track. My mother didn’t have any chores for me when I was a kid. I had to learn it all when I left home, and ruined quite a few loads of laundry in the process!
April 22nd, 2010 at 9:47 pm
I think you should give your an allowance to your kids if they are responsible, not based on what chores they do. And also they are kids- at that age they don’t go to school 8 hours a day but eventually they will so cut them some slack. If the ask for something expensive they should have to earn it, but otherwise its good to just give to your kids, this will encourage them to do the same and will probably make your family less “work oriented”- meaning if you want something you have to earn it. Which takes away the whole family part, doesn’t it?
If your kids help you with chores they should help because they care, and because you’ve taught them that it’s fair. They shouldn’t ask for money because they helped you when you needed help. You should give to them if they do help, not because it’s work, but because you appreciate that they care enough to help their mother.
What your question implies is “what is minimum wage for my 5 year old employees”? they’re not workers, they’re your children.
April 22nd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
I do not give my kids an allowance. I gave them chores like cleaning their own rooms, doing their own laundry, and doing their own dinner dishes. I do the majority of the house cleaning and they are required to help. They also were required to keep their grades up. When they needed help I would sit with them and help. Maybe to anyone reading this, it sounds stingy because of no rewards, but they are provided a safe environment to live in. They are provided with a safe place for their friends to hang out. They are provide with snacks and shelter and food and clothing. Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned but i’m not into bribing my children to do what they are expected to do. I tell my children every night I love them and how proud I am of them. I take them where they need to go and I meet all their friends and their friend’s parents. I have taught them that money does not grow on trees and I don’t always have it to give. When I do have it, we do something special as a family. If they need money for something they absolutely think they have to have, then I give them chores they are not required to do and pay them for that.