In my last article I discussed age appropriate chores and the benefits to the children and family unit that doing house and yard work together can bring. Many parents ponder paying their children an allowance for their hard work. I have heard good arguments both for and against giving an allowance in response to chores.
On the yes side, proponents of giving an allowance for chores argue that paying for children to do housework helps them to have a sense of accomplishment. Earning an allowance for chores teaches them the principles of working for pay, which will become a reality in adulthood. Also paying an allowance can help children begin to learn good money management skills. Some parents make the allowance conditional-If the child finishes all of the assigned chores, and they are done well, then he or she receives the pre-determined allowance. If the chores are not completed then- no allowance that week.
Some people who do not reward chores with an allowance believe that chores are part of the basic responsibilities that family members have toward one another. Steven Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People thinks that the idea behind assigning chores is not that parents are “Just trying to get their houses clean or the lawn mowed or the snow shoveled; The goal is to help the children develop values such as taking care of other people, finding pleasure in work, and being responsible and productive.”
Some parents choose to reward good grades with money. I remember a friend in high school who got $10 for each “A” she earned on her report card. She normally brought home all A’s and received what I thought at the time was a small fortune for her efforts.
For many single parent’s, giving an allowance is just not an option financially. Don’t feel guilty. If possible try to give your children little “just because” rewards like an ice cream cone, movie rental, just because you love them. Then you can teach money management skills without the use of an allowance.