Do you children have chores and allowances?

I think you have a great idea to help them learn responsibility and job related skills. Too many kids don't ever learn how to reason that all out - Oh if I don't work I don't get money!! I did some similar things with my kids... it's so important for them to learn those skills.

I like to let my child to do some housework. He can learn to be responsible and independent. When I am cooking, sometimes he likes to help me. And he will help me to wash the dishes. He is a very nice boy. I love China

They did, but they do not anymore, in fact they don't do anything anymore. Mine is about 18. I had a chore chart, it told who is to do what, each day, if they did it without being yelled at, they got the money. If we had to get after them or they did not do it the way they were supposed to {which we gave alot of space there}, they did not get it, but still had to do it. At the end of the week, they got to total up their earnings and come to the bank to get paid, which of course was me. They thought that was cool too. As they got older that quit, as they just came to me and said it is pay day, can I have my money. Make it a fun thing.

Years back, I watched a Dr. Phil show where he was talking about how video games and TV are priveleges and not rights and how all kids have their 'currency' and how it's not always money. And, you just have to figure out what's important to your child and use that as your bargaining chip. I don't take anything away from my daughter when she doesn't help me. It just causes too many tantrums. Instead, I focus on her attitude and behavior as the main thing, making sure that she acts courteous to family members and doesn't demand things and can act independently for things she wants. The cleaning is secondary. But, I do control what she gets to do, like how if she cops an attitude and acts too surly, all she is allowed to watch are educational or documentary films from National Geographic and no Spongebob cartoons. That usually cures the problem. I can't actually tell you how to get the kids to cooperate with the clean up process. I can't get my kid to clean up either. Actually, I can't even get my spouse to clean up anything but the cat litter and trash and then that's only occasionally. Some other moms use the 'pick it up or lose it' rule, where the kid forfeits the item if it's found on the floor. You could just stash the item up in the top of your closet for a day or week and let the kid live without it. That might work, as long as you explained why you were doing it ahead of time, like, "If I come into your room and find your toys on the floor, you lose those toys for a whole week!" Then the kids are warned and have no excuse that they didn't know. As for giving money, that's up to you. Most times, I just stick a couple dollars in my daughter's jacket pocket before she leaves the house and she can buy what she wants. That works for a six year old, well nearly seven. Anyway, best of luck with the situation.

I have attempted systems like that.. they didn't work for long. All of my kids have chores, but they get no reward for doing their chores. I do not get a reward for doing my chores, so why should they? They live here too and create most of the mess.. they should be the ones to clean it up! What I do offer is punishments if they don't do their chores. No video games, TV, or other fun activities if they didn't behave and do their chores that day. That's basically everyday in this house because getting them to do their chores without constant reminders is not easy! Even if I offered a reward, after about a week it would get old and they'd be right back to not doing them.

I started a "chore chart" a couple of weeks ago. Every day the kids have one or two things they have to do. Since my daughter is 9 her chores range from making her bed, washing dishes, putting away silverware from the dishwasher, scrubbing the bathroom sink and making sure the dog has food and water. Since my son is only 5 I ask him to pull the cover up on his bed, put silverware away and collect the small trash cans from each room on trash night. I think it's good for the kids to have chores. They need to learn responsibilities. I don't give them an allowance but they get a star put on the chart when they do their chore. If they don't do a chore then they get a privilege taken away for the day.

I dont have children. :)

The eldest is old enough to start helping out with dishes or garbage pick up around the house. The 5 year old can help with sweeping or tidying up toys etc. The youngest can also start picking up their toys and maybe helping to fold clothes. I don't think a lot of money is required. In fact I wouldn't give money to the younger ones. Maybe reward with cookies or some other treat. The 8 year old, I world give about 5 to $10 a week. Thats what I used to get.