help with a plan to let my 7-yo earn his allowance

[Anonymous]

we haven't started allowance yet but recently he's asked for new toys a lot so we think it's time to let him earn some from us. i'd like to know what kind of things you pay (and not pay) your kids with, and how much.

we're solid middle class renting a SFH and attending public schools, if it makes any difference.

tks!

[dedicateddad]

Anonymous wrote:

we're solid middle class renting a SFH and attending public schools, if it makes any difference.

tks!

Oh...this translates to "I'm broke all the time so don't come at me with some bullshit." I know the feeling.

[Anonymous]

We don't tie allowance to chores. Everyone does chores - even the 3 year old who doesn't get allowance yet. At age 7, I believe I was giving $5 per week. At sixth grade I increased it to $7. I will up it again once my oldest starts to need money to go out with friends. Right now it doesn't happen often enough to help him budget for it and it's never planned much in advance.

As far as chores, besides the usual taking care of yourself (clothes in the laundry basket, dishes in the dishwasher, bed made, room clean), at seven, by seven they were helping with yard work (not mowing though), carrying the laundry down to the laundry room, helping pick up after the younger kids, etc.

[Anonymous]

We also don't tie allowance to chores. We are a family. Everyone in our family has jobs both inside and outside the house. If our child is not doing her jobs, allowance is one thing that she may lose some or all of or not get a raise or an advance when she requests one. I give her the number of dollars for her age per week. And it is in a savings account. She does not get cash.

[dedicateddad]

I definitely was mowing the lawn by 7...in fact I was mowing neighbors lawns for money at 7. I'm a firm believer in putting these little monsters to work...that way when they grow up and get a job they aren't one of those whiny people who doesn't know what hard work is like...

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure why you feel like you have to give your 7 yo an allowance. Does he not have enough toys? Does he not get money for his birthday or Christmas? My oldest is 8 and we don't plan on giving an allowance for a while. When we do, we'll expect them to pay for presents from their allowance as well as save part of it. All the kids have chores around the house for which they do NOT get paid. That's part of being in a household. I think you're better off learning to tell your DS that he's got enough toys and you don't have money for XYZ.

[Anonymous]

18:20 - you got it! Most of this area

[Anonymous]

my son is 8 and gets 3 dollars/week if we remember. when he started allowance, his chores (in addition to usually toy pick up and clearing his plate) was bringing in recycling bin and trash cans. we had him fold some clothes too.

the main reason we started allowance was to stop him from asking us for small things from dollar store or five below, etc. he can use his money for those things now, and he actually sees the value of money and buys less of those little things. now he spends the money on bigger items, like an extra plant for his fish or another beyblade or yoyo.

[Anonymous]

well, the thing is, i WANT him to have the money so he can make the decision to buy a toy of his choice, but don't want to just give the money to him 'for free.' i mostly want him to learn about value of work/money. he does take care of himself most of the time, and does small chores like setting the table.

i thought about rewarding him for doing homework or tests but then decided against it.

tks for the lawn mowing idea. are push lawn mowers safer for kids?

[Anonymous]

We do not pay for things they have to do to take care of themselves (homework, clean room). But, I will for special jobs that help me. So, pulling weeds this time of year (children like using a little shovel to dig up dandelions). Maybe helping with a special project (organizing a closet with me). Also cleaning for the whole house that they can do on their own (taking a cleaning wipe to every door handle in the house, or wiping down the counters, etc). At one time I used post its to make a job wall with jobs listed and how much I would pay for them. We do not pay much, really want them to work for their money. Ours also get a small allowance ($10/month) and have to work for the rest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We do not pay for things they have to do to take care of themselves (homework, clean room). But, I will for special jobs that help me. So, pulling weeds this time of year (children like using a little shovel to dig up dandelions). Maybe helping with a special project (organizing a closet with me). Also cleaning for the whole house that they can do on their own (taking a cleaning wipe to every door handle in the house, or wiping down the counters, etc). At one time I used post its to make a job wall with jobs listed and how much I would pay for them. We do not pay much, really want them to work for their money. Ours also get a small allowance ($10/month) and have to work for the rest.

awesome idea! did it work well as intended? tks!

[Anonymous]

Yes, it worked (everything is more fun with post-it notes.) Funny, it also helped DS's reading and math skills. Now that I think about it, I also learned what chores they prefer (DS likes swiffering with lots of spray and DD is great at putting away and organizing shoes). So now, they are more willing to do their chores because I ask them to do the ones they like.