Should you pay your child for chores? I asked this question in a Facebook group for moms I am a member of and moms were on both sides of the fence. One side was, of course, you should reward your children and the other was, of course, you shouldn’t. Kids should do chores because they are a part of your family.
After talking to both sides I want to share my opinion on whether you should or shouldn’t pay your kids for chores.
Should you pay your child for chores?
I believe kids should be paid for chores. Why? It helps teach responsibility. Sure I could give my child a weekly or even monthly allowance that wasn’t tied to their chores, but what would this teach them?
When doing chores, they are earning that money. It’s theirs and they earned it. If I were to just give money to them, it’s a gift. While it’s their money, they did nothing to earn it. What is that teaching them? That money isn’t earned but just given?
Related: Teaching Your Teen To Save
Teaching your toddler to save
Another argument what that when you attach a number to a certain chore kids start expecting money for everything they do. In my eyes, of course, they should. When you work, you expect to get paid. I want my kids to value their time.
What if I don’t have the cash?
I was asked by another mom what happens if I tell Jack he needs to sweep, and then he says he will for a dollar. I don’t have a dollar does that mean Jack doesn’t have to sweep? Our Kids have a max payment.
The most they can earn in a given week is $15. They have their main daily chores and each has a value attached. Their main weekly chores add up to $10, and then they have an extra $5 they can earn. If I ask them to sweep, they get a $1 added on their chart.
No money is given out during the week. They get paid every Friday.
How much should you pay your child for chores?
This is one of those questions that really depends on your child and your financial situation. Like I said above we give our kids a max payment of $15 how much of that $15 they earn is up to them.
Picking up bedroom nightly $3 (for the then entire week. Miss a night I deduct)
Loading dishwasher $3 (for the week)
Vacuum $3
Clear table $1
These are Little Man’s daily chores. The prices are for the entire week. After that, every chore is $1 until he hits $15.
He is expected to make his bed and put his clothes in his hamper without payment because they are his and no one else’s.
Our kids can do whatever they want with their money minus 10%. 10% goes into their savings account for later in their life. I do this because not only do I want my kids to understand working for their money, I want them to know the value of a dollar and the importance of budgeting and saving money.
Related: save on kids clothes
I want to know which side of the debate you are on. Should you pay your child for chores? Leave a comment below or let me know on our Facebook page.
Leave a Reply