Chores: To pay or not to pay?

Yesterday, I shared my own personal attempt at getting my kids to do their chores by using a "to do" list.  I can happily report so far so good (although it has only been one day!). 

A question that I often get from parents is whether to pay children for chores or not.  There really is no right or wrong answer here.  As parents, we have to do what works.  Some families have systems in place where children are rewarded with money and it works.  Again, do what works.

We have a different spin on chores in our household.  We don't give rewards for completion of daily chores as we want our kids to understand that there are some things that just have to be done and there is no reward other than the feelings of a job well done.  We feel that this is in keeping with the experiences they will have in the real world and we want to prepare them as best we can for that. 

We do, however, give a weekly allowance.  They get .25 per day for $1.75 per week.  Here's the catch, if they don't do their chores it usually means someone else had to and they have to pay whoever did them (usually me).  If I didn't want to clean my house, I could hire someone else to come in and do it.  Same theory.  So I earn 25 cents when I complete their unfinished chores (of course this doesn't include their homework or piano :)  This system has worked well for our family over the years. 

In addition, the kids pitch in and do extra chores.  They earn .25 each and use the opportunity to earn extra money when they are saving to purchase something.  They have figured out at an early age that if they want something, they have to work for it.  We hope this translates into success as adults. 

What are your thoughts on paying kids for chores?  Do you give it a thumbs up or a thumbs down?

Comments

[mothergoosemouse]

I love your system! Especially the part about paying whomever did the chores.

We haven't yet begun official daily or weekly responsibilities for Tacy - beyond picking up after herself - but I expect to do so in the next year, and I'm looking for good ideas like yours!

[Jill Urbane, The Mentor Mom]

I'm glad you like it! I might add that it is Saturday and that in addition to their daily to do lists being completed, the toilets, windows and furniture in our house were clean by 10:00 a.m. allowing me to sip my coffee and cruise the net in peace. All for the low price of 75 cents! Aaaah, I'm digging this :)