kfeusse Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 I have 3 kids...ages 8, 10 and 12. They will be responsible for the following daily chores (without pay): making their beds, tidying their rooms, what I will call COD (chore of the day...which will rotate weekly): cleaning the kid's bathroom sink, helping with anything I need with lunch (setting table, clearing table etc) or dinner helper (same as lunch). And in the evening they will each have a "zone" to tidy up...livingroom, school room and entry way (which is where our 3 hamsters live as well as the coat rack...so there is always something to clean up) In addition to those: they do their own laundry (from beginning to end), help when asked with odd jobs throughout the day. Then I will have jobs on cards that they can do to earn extra money. The jobs on the cards are like: vacuuming, dusting baseboards, picking up toys and trash in the yard, vacuuming the stairs, sweeping sidewalk and patio. There are a few jobs that NEED to be done weekly. I am thinking of telling the kids if someone doesn't do this job during the week (for pay), I will assign the job to someone on Saturday (for no pay)...hoping to get them to see that if they do these things during the week, we will have more time to play on Saturday. Because on Saturday, the kids need to clean their attic rooms (which are rooms off their bedrooms that house most of the boy's toys...and on my daughter's room her's is her craft room), dump trash from little trashcans and then any card jobs not done during the week. Paying the kids for the paying jobs will happen on Saturday ONLY if they have kept up with their daily chores. (there is a chart that they will fill out when they have done a job to MY satisfaction...I will inspect before the chart is filled out). what do you think? Too complicated? doable? what would you change, if anything? thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 I have 3 kids...ages 8, 10 and 12. They will be responsible for the following daily chores (without pay): making their beds, tidying their rooms, what I will call COD (chore of the day...which will rotate weekly): cleaning the kid's bathroom sink, helping with anything I need with lunch (setting table, clearing table etc) or dinner helper (same as lunch). And in the evening they will each have a "zone" to tidy up...livingroom, school room and entry way (which is where our 3 hamsters live as well as the coat rack...so there is always something to clean up) In addition to those: they do their own laundry (from beginning to end), help when asked with odd jobs throughout the day. Then I will have jobs on cards that they can do to earn extra money. The jobs on the cards are like: vacuuming, dusting baseboards, picking up toys and trash in the yard, vacuuming the stairs, sweeping sidewalk and patio. There are a few jobs that NEED to be done weekly. I am thinking of telling the kids if someone doesn't do this job during the week (for pay), I will assign the job to someone on Saturday (for no pay)...hoping to get them to see that if they do these things during the week, we will have more time to play on Saturday. Because on Saturday, the kids need to clean their attic rooms (which are rooms off their bedrooms that house most of the boy's toys...and on my daughter's room her's is her craft room), dump trash from little trashcans and then any card jobs not done during the week. Paying the kids for the paying jobs will happen on Saturday ONLY if they have kept up with their daily chores. (there is a chart that they will fill out when they have done a job to MY satisfaction...I will inspect before the chart is filled out). what do you think? Too complicated? doable? what would you change, if anything? thanks. The bolded is basically what my kids do and they are younger than yours. I used to have a list of chores that they could do to earn money, but that was too complicated and I nixed it. Now they get a set allowance, based on their age, which gets taken away if they are not contributing to the family during the week (daily chores). If the kids want extra money I help them figure out small things they can do. My ds8 pet sat for a few people and earned enough money for his quad. My dd cleaned my dog kennels and earned enough money for her dog. My youngest ds wants to raise chickens and sell eggs. We don't clean on weekends, I NEED my weekends and so do they usually. In other words, I don't think your system is too complicated, but you are the best judge on what you think your children are capable off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 just curious....how much allowance do your children get...how did you figure that out. I have toyed with that idea too...because I have tried different ways to earn money and after a while I end up nixing the system too...maybe I should explore that a little bit...sounds like maybe a new thread... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 just curious....how much allowance do your children get...how did you figure that out. I have toyed with that idea too...because I have tried different ways to earn money and after a while I end up nixing the system too...maybe I should explore that a little bit...sounds like maybe a new thread... Just chiming in on the allowance thing, my kids get weekly allowance in the amount of half their age. Thus, my 9-year-old gets $4.50, and my 10-year-old gets $5.00. Her birthday is coming up soon, and she is looking forward to getting a "raise" (up to $5.50! LOL). Also, out of their allowance, they have to put one dollar a week into their savings jar, which they then use to buy birthday presents and Christmas presents for others. They do have chores, but those have nothing to do with allowance. Our chore system is that they have a few specific things they must do each day (schoolwork, straightening their rooms and bathrooms, taking care of pets, etc.). If they finish everything on their list in a timely manner and without attitude, they earn a sticker. Four stickers earns them a prize from the prize box (little trinket-type toys). So far it's working well, though I'm sure they'll outgrow the trinkets before too long. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cougarmom4 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 I think your system looks good. One suggestion...with the money jobs, I've found that it is helpful to have an envelope with chore assignment on the outside and payment on the inside. Being paid immediately seems to make a huge impact on my kids. I've never had money jobs that had to be done each week though, so I can't speak to that part. It does sound like that might be where complications might arise, at least it would with my family. I like it though...I'm just afraid that I wouldn't follow through as well on that part of it and then the whole thing would fall apart. (I'm realizing that the whole chore system either makes it or breaks it depending on ME!) Good luck! Let us know how it goes.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heart_Mom Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 One suggestion...with the money jobs, I've found that it is helpful to have an envelope with chore assignment on the outside and payment on the inside. Being paid immediately seems to make a huge impact on my kids. Thanks for this tip! I have a list of paid jobs that's been posted for more than a month, and no one has done any. But I bet that your idea might change things a bit. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 (edited) what do you think? Too complicated? doable? what would you change, if anything? thanks.Sounds way too complicated for me. But then, I really don't find that much housework that needs to be done on a daily or weekly basis that would make doing pay-chore-cards worth my time. We also don't do "it's Saturday, so xyz room must be cleaned." We clean when it is necessary, not on a schedule. My kids are responsible for their own rooms and for the bathrooms upstairs (which DS uses) and in the basement (DD). They are expected to help as needed with setting/clearing table, trash, cleaning kitchen etc. As for laundry: none of my kids owns enough clothing to get a full load together, so having them do their own laundry would mean wasting water and electricity. We only wash when we have a full load, and then everybody's stuff goes in. I hang up, they each take down their own clothes from the clothesline. Edited September 8, 2012 by regentrude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 (edited) Sounds way too complicated for me. But then, I really don't find that much housework that needs to be done on a daily or weekly basis that would make doing pay-chore-cards worth my time. We also don't do "it's Saturday, so xyz room must be cleaned." We clean when it is necessary, not on a schedule. My kids are responsible for their own rooms and for the bathrooms upstairs (which DS uses) and in the basement (DD). They are expected to help as needed with setting/clearing table, trash, cleaning kitchen etc. As for laundry: none of my kids owns enough clothing to get a full load together, so having them do their own laundry would mean wasting water and electricity. We only wash when we have a full load, and then everybody's stuff goes in. I hang up, they each take down their own clothes from the clothesline. :iagree: My kids are responsible for their room and bathroom, dishwasher and washing and drying laundry. On top of that they simply help with cleaning, meals, etc. when I ask. Whenever I tried a system it failed. I also don't pay for chores. The house is their responsibility as well as mine. Even for things like stacking firewood or hauling garbage. I'm a meanie. Edited September 9, 2012 by WishboneDawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsabelC Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 It would be too complicated for me because I can't be bothered to keep charts or checklists. But if you're happy to keep track of it, I think it sounds great. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skeeterbug Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 My kids get an allowance but occasionally ask for extra jobs they can do to earn money. I've tried different things and ultimately if it depends on me staying on top of it at all then it won't get done. I think if you need these Saturday jobs to be done then they need to be assigned. The jobs that don't need to be done weekly are the ones for $$. My ultimate goal is to get some help around the house and to teach my children how to keep house so they can do it when they are grown. I don't want to spend my time being the "chore police", KWIM? I don't have it figured out, but I'd recommend simplifying the process wherever possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfeusse Posted September 9, 2012 Author Share Posted September 9, 2012 I have totally rethought this whole thing...and I am now leaning towards just a basic allowance each week divided into spending, savings and church...and just expecting them to help when I need help (which they are actually VERY good at doing). thanks for helping me with your different thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.