Rocks In My Dryer: Works For Me: Chore Chart

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Last week I talked about how we handle allowance around our house: we use on-line banking, and the kids can earn 1/2 their age in dollar amounts (i.e, the ten year old can earn $5/week.)

Some of you thought that amount sounded high, and I will tell you that the money we give them is not just for them to squirrel away. They have to pay for some of their own stuff out of that money.

For example, we go to the dollar movie pretty often, but this momma does NOT buy movie snacks. Rip-off central. If they want to eat something at the movie, they have to pay for it from their money.

Similarly, kids who are careless with their school supplies have to replace them with their own money (I cover normal wear and tear, of course). If they lose a library book or break a brother's toy, they are similarly responsible. We give them plenty of chances actually to use their money, which is key in any successful allowance system.

Several of you asked if we required our kids to give to the church or other charitable groups. I tried to write out an explanation of our thoughts on this, but it was turning into a post of its own; I'll save that for another day, soon.

Lastly, here's the chore chart we use:

Download choresFORBLOG.pdf.

I post this on the fridge (a fresh print-out each week). They are responsible for crossing off their work when it's done. I don't mess with an item-by-item account of each chore (i.e., "Clear the table and earn $.25"...my word, the thought of managing that just wears me out.) Instead, they're paid on their overall performance. They have to do their jobs, cheerfully (that's a big one around here), and without being reminded constantly. If they don't, certain amounts are deducted, depending on the degree of surliness! Especially helpful attitudes are often rewarded, monetarily. I just make a note of these things right on the chart, so that when we sit down together on "payday" (Sunday), it's all right there in front of me.

(A couple of notes about the chore chart. I don't have "exercises" on Adam's chores because I am a fitness freak, but because he has knee issues that require daily physical therapy exercises. Notably absent from the chart is bed-making. I don't require this of my kids because if I did, I might have to start doing it regularly myself. *shudder*)

My kids know--because they hear it often--that this family is a team, and everyone pulls his own weight. Being part of a team means doing your work, and sometimes doing extra, and even sometimes (OH, THE UNBEARABLE TRAGEDY) doing your brother's job if he's sick or stressed over homework. It all works out in the end.

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One last thing...PLEASE REMEMBER that next week's WFMW has a theme: it's the "Mom, I'm Bored" Edition. Post your ideas for clever ways to keep the kids occupied during the summer months. Please-oh-please, my bloggy friends, if you care for me at all, PARTICIPATE. My kids are out of school tomorrow, and I need your help!

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