Thinking About Giving Your Child An Allowance

     I think it's a great idea that will teach them valuable lessons they will have to learn sooner or later.  The parent gains too.  Help around the house is always welcome.  Right?  Learning the value of a dollar means your someday teenager will understand when you have to say "no" to the name-brand, everybody has one item that costs way too much for the family budget.  On second thought, maybe not.  But, it wouldn't hurt to try. 

     I would say for the smaller children a dollar or two every week to buy some candy or a small toy would be perfect.  If something more expensive catches their eye they will have to save their allowance a few weeks to earn that reward.  See where I am going with this?

     Establish the rules and discuss in detail the allowance plan with your kids to avoid any misunderstandings later.  Some rules that come to mind are...

• Figure out when will the allowances be paid.  They shouldn't have to remind you every week.
• Don't tell them how to spend their money.  This excludes a purchase for something they have been told they are not allowed to have.
• If they screw up and blow all their money for junk early in the week and see something else they want a few days later.  They're out of luck.  Lesson learned.
• An advance on the allowance should only be given under the most extreme circumstances.
• Be consistent or they will not learn a thing.
• If they legitimately need an extra amount, they should earn it by going above and beyond their normal duties.

     I'm sure there will have to be more rules established but hopefully this helps set the ground work for a rewarding experience for both parties.  Your kids probably should be responsible for  doing some chores around the house they aren't being paid for, like making their bed, etc.  You be the judge.  I have compiled a list of jobs that you might want to consider as allowance worthy.

• cleaning the car
• washing the family pet
• raking leaves
• polishing furniture
• washing windows
• baseboard washing
• straightening bookshelves or linen closet
• vacuuming under the couch cushions
• silver polishing
• laundry folding and putting away
• weeding the vegetable garden or flowerbed
• sweeping driveway and front walk
• entertaining younger brothers and sisters

Allowance Chart

Envelopes?

There's always something that needs to be done.  I hope this helps.  Don't let allowance giving become a headache.  Establish the rules up front.  Let them know what's expected and I just bet they will make you proud.