Allowance?

Let's talk allowance 🤔 I never had one growing up, but I also don't remember being given specific daily or weekly chores. If my parents told me to do something, then I had to do it. No compensation required. It was just a spur of the moment request. So our son is 5. He's been feeding the pets since he was a toddler. All of a sudden he's taken an interest in other chores. He voluntarily has emptied the dishwasher twice and he also put away his laundry this weekend. So my husband and I are discussing should we give him an allowance if he were to take on such chores consistently 🤔 frankly we are torn. Part of me feels he should help out without expecting anything. On the flip side, his main job is to be a kid & enjoy childhood NOT doing chores. I sort of associate the responsibility of chores with an older child/teen. Sooooo what are you all doing?

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For us, It’s not about getting something for doing his responsibilities, it’s about earning and learning the value of a dollar. Our son gets a little money here and there for doing things that are NOT his responsibility. If he wants some trinket from the store then he needs to use his own money that he’s earned. If he wants a bigger toy then we want him to save for it. My husband is also implementing in the future cash for books he reads on his own.

My husband and I have certain chores for our kids (empty the dishwasher and clean there rooms) they get paid for doing things beyond that. Even if they don't do a great job the fact that are putting in the effort but we also don't use real money. We use Monopoly money and once they save up enough we go do a special trip. Go for a beach day or go to the arcade things like that so they can learn the value of a dollar and how to save money at a young age.

We feel that age appropriate chores should be part of learning your roles and responsibilities within a family unit. There's no harm in giving rewards for a great job though ❤️

In our family, we all contribute to doing for the family and house, they still get to be a child but also it’s teaching them responsibilities. We don’t give money for the chores as we adults don’t get any money for doing what is supposed to be done. But yeah a reward won’t hurt, as we give our kids a toy when we go to target.

We have certain chores that are age appropriate that we expect help on. I’m putting together a “work for hire board” for my 6yo with some jobs that we don’t expect or are slightly above his age that he might need help with or still learning. Right now I might use Monopoly money and create my own “shop” and place different values on things. He can learn about money and saving for bigger items. As he gets older the chore board chores will also be able to get him out of being grounded. With no compensation.

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