Setting up a Realistic Allowance System for your children

When we were children, receiving a quarter to put away our clothes was like a million dollars. But in today’s time a quarter might now cut it to get your child motivated to earn their own allowance. This can also be especially difficult if you are not prepared to discuss the possibility of an allowance with your child, before they come and ask for it. There are several things you should keep in mind when deciding on what they should earn, and what chores they should perform.

Start off with making basic lists of realistic chores your child can handle. Too often parents think even children as young as five years old are unable to complete chores, this is not true. Simply cleaning up after them, cleaning up their toys, wiping down the bathroom or kitchen counters, emptying the bathroom trash. These are just small ideas of things even smaller children should be able to handle to earn their own allowances. Keep your list realistic, while bearing in mind your child’s ability to complete and perform and these task.

Next thing to consider is how much each chore they perform is going to be worth if completed on time, and done the right way. Also take into consideration that chores a younger child does, normally are not going to meet an adults standards. But rewarding them for their effort is the most important thing to make your child feel valued, and proud that they earned their allowance. Along with coming up with a list of prices, you should make a second list of consequences for older children, for when their chores do not get completed. While this may seem harsh, it is important that your child learn that they will only get paid for chores that are done the right way, and on time just like with any other job an adult might have.

Now comes the fun part, how will you keep track of how they complete their chores? A fun way is to make and decorate a chore list complete with stickers and crayons or marker drawings on it. This would be a great project for Sunday night for the whole family to complete and decorate together. Your chore list could be a big one that fits nicely on your kitchen wall, or a smaller one that fits onto your refrigerator, or maybe simply a chore lists that fits onto a white board. With the chore lists created set a time with your kids whether it is daily or weekly to go over the chore chart, to make sure the chores were completed and then agree upon a day when they will receive their allowance. By everyone being informed on what is expected of them, and when they will receive their allowance, this becomes a much more fun and manageable opportunity for your family.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Written by Angie Wenke-she is a work at home mom who currently owns Frugal WAHMs Talk Radio and Resale Clipart where she offers WAHM’s opportunity to start their own businesses, and she helps to educate them on how to grow their businesses and families.

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