Let me explain the motivation behind this new chore system. Quite simply, it's money. Each day (we exclude Sundays, the day of rest) that the children do all of their chore cards without complaining, they receive a dollar. If they don't finish all of them before bedtime, or they had a bad attitude while doing them, they do not receive a dollar. Once a week, on Saturday night, Hubby and I open a store in our bedroom. The children are allowed in one at a time, starting with the one with the least amount of dollars, on up to the one with the most. We encourage them to save some of their dollars. The first week none of them saved any. The next week some of them did. Last week all of them saved some dollars. They are learning! At the moment, items in the store vary from $1 to $7. We add to it as we find deals or see the need. We started stocking up on things weeks before we started this system, and I recommend anyone else starting it to also plan in advance, or the first week's earnings could wipe out your store. We sell things like candy, sticker books, crayons, sunglasses, reading books, markers, special pens, paper, beef sticks, chocolates, cool toys that require batteries (also sold in our store), and so on. We make sure there are at least some new things in it each week, to surprise the children. Hubby made the dollars, and I thought he did a very good job, although I cannot say that I love the photo he chose of me. To be fair, he also made half of them with his own photo on them.
Any questions?
7 comments:
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing with us. It sounds like a lovely system.
I'm wondering if it would work for my 3 year old? I don't think he's too young to do chores, right? What sort of chores would be appropriate for a 3 year old? Do you include things like brushing teeth, getting dressed, etc. Or is it only household things like making the bed, setting the table, sweeping, etc?
I would love to hear your thoughts...
Another question...
Why don't you use real money? It seems like if you were using real money there would be a whole host of learning opportunities available to your children. Like tithing...you can't tithe fake money. It's such an important discipline and a hard one to boot, I want to teach him to tithe at a young age. So, maybe I'd use tokens instead?
I don't know, just thinking out loud here...
We could have simply used some type of token, because that is the idea behind it. It's kind of like "choose your prize". We do have our children tithe on their real money, and encourage saving also, although we don't mandate saving.
This method has also almost entirely eliminated the "gimme"s and "can I buy?"s when we go shopping, although they sometimes ask "Could you put THAT in the store?" You have raised an interesting question, though, and I might ask my husband about redeeming one of the dollars each week for a real dollar to put in the tithe box.
My 3yo does chores. I don't put things like brushing teeth and getting dressed because I'd simply have way too many cards to put up. They are all expected to get dressed, brush teeth, and make their bed every day. Those don't vary, so there are no cards for them. I don't consider them chores, really, but you could start with that for a little one to get them in the mindset. My 3yo does easier chores, like 5 minute pen & pencil hunts, trash walks, and washing the doorknobs. She can't handle vacuuming a whole room, but she can vacuum the kitchen rugs. That sort of thing.
Oh, and part of the reason it isn't a real dollar a day is that we couldn't afford it!LOL
Thank you for responding!
I think it's good that the hygiene things aren't "chores". Those are just basic things they should be doing! =) I would feel weird "paying" my little guy to brush his teeth, lol. I think I'll probably start with making his bed, setting the table for dinner, and cleaning up his toys. I think that will be a good starting point for him. He's never used the vacuum. I am amazed that your 3-year old does!! Maybe because she older siblings? My little guy is still afraid of the darn thing! =/
LOL, yes it would be expensive for you to give out 5 dollars a day!! I think if I did use real money, I would give him 10 cents a day. He's still where he thinks a penny is a million bucks. haha!
You are motivating me to get back on track! I have fallen apart since we put our old house up for sale and can't seem to get back in the grove with anything!!
I used to have a huge system from a book, actually it's the same one that the mom from 17 and counting uses..I saw it on their show!! lol
Anyway, I wouldn't use that again now, but I need to do something! This is such a great idea though Terry wouldn't be as involved as Mike..and with my older kids now, they could just be left out of it because they know and do their chores alone. I can see my slacking wearing off plain as day because Richard, Jarrod and Presleigh are very on top of responsibilities and Bronwyn and Cassidy are LAZY and get away with FAR TOO MUCH! I would have NEVER been so laid back with the older ones........and Bronwyn especially is really pushing my buttons with not having a good attitude and not willing to get her things done. You might think I was asking her to scrub a public bathroom if I ask her clear the table!
I know what I am doing tomorrow now! Chore Chart!! I will be on line asking for pointers so don't disappear on me K?
Love ya!
That is a great idea...really...think I am going to take your idea to heart.....
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