MY dd is not "Living"

[kacee]

Please don't panick here, I will try to explain. We have finally come up with a chore chart.
I explained to her that there are some things that you have to do just because you are living. (Daily items)
Here is her list of living chores:
Brush teeth
Comb Hair
Make bed
Clear the table
Pick up dirty clothes and toys

This are things that must be done because you are living and for good health.

Then we created a list of chores that she could do for an allowance which she wanted badly last week - but this week???

This are things which can be done once a week. DH has aggreed to pay her $5 a week.
But she must be living inorder to receive her allowance. (Living chores done)

She does well with teeth and hair. Her down fall is making her bed. I have decided not to nagg her about her living chores. I do remind casually, but it is her duty.

HUUMMMM!! For some reason, I don't think dh will have to pay up for awhile. She kind of lost interest in her allowance!!

So!! What do you think of this motivation??

[Amy2]

Well, there are many different theories about allowance. Some say that you shouldn't pay kids for their chores, because they are part of the family, and that's what they do as a memeber of the group (kind of like your "living" thing) I don't know. We give both the kids five dollars a week. Every week my ds, dd and I go to the bank, and my son fills out his deposit slip and I fill out dd's. He puts them both in the bank. That's just to teach them about money, how it grows, how to save, and once they get enough, we will probably buy a mutual fund or a bond or something (this could be a while at five dollars a week!) Tristan has his "chores" he makes his bed, puts his folded cloths away when I ask him to, feeds the dog, and empties the small garbage cans. Sometimes I will ask him to help me with laundry (sorting whites, darks, lights) which is more fun for him than anything. Also, he sometimes helps me unload the dishwasher. But it's not like he has to do them or he doesn't get his money.

As to the bed making, my son can't do ANYTHING until his bed is made in the morning and he is dressed. He wakes up, gets dressed and makes his bed, then he comes out for breakfast and maybe watching Out of the Box or something before school. But only if the bed is made. No bed, no breakfast. Period. It's become a habit now, so it's easy, and I have been able to relax a bit with it. Like on weekends, I'm not so strict. The only problem is, I have to make MY bed now too! :)

Amy

[Leigh]

As you know I don't have kids yet, so I can't say how I would respond, but maybe you could make it to where she wanted her allowance. I do not believe in making children pay for their own food or basic clothing, but maybe if she wants a special shirt, you could tell her that she will have to get it with her allowance. You could do this with certain trips, toys, and other things that she enjoys, and that you see as a treat not a neccesity. Maybe when she realizes that you won't buy these things for her anymore she will want her allowance again and begin to do the "living" things. Hope this isn't to confusing and I hope that it helps.