Hey moms, have you heard about the new app that promises to make your kids "beg" to do chores? That's right, it's called -- um, look, you're really gonna need to stop laughing if you want me to tell you more. Can you stop that, please?
Okay, where was I? Oh yeah, so this app is called "Choremonster," and it's basically the smartphone generation's take on Ye Olde Sticker Chart (you know, those things you put stickers on every time your kid washes the dishes or whatever and then when the chart's all filled up and/or you run out of stickers they get a prize?).
Now, some parents have a problem with this idea because they think rewarding kids for doing stuff around the house they should be doing anyway sends the wrong message. That they'll grow up spoiled and entitled and lazy. That they won't lift a finger unless some sort of compensation is involved.
And you know what? Why should they?
Look, I'm not gonna buy this particular app because I know damn well NOTHING would ever make my kids "beg" to clean their rooms, and I don't do sticker charts because, quite frankly, they sound like a pain in the ass. But if my son picks up his Star Wars guys off the floor and puts them away every day this week like he promised, I'll give him a few bucks. Why not?
The fact is, rewarding kids to do chores doesn't send the wrong message, it sends the EXACTLY RIGHT message: Money makes the world go 'round, so you might as well master this whole payment received for services rendered concept now.
You think I'm being cynical? Practical is more like it. Hell, I wish I'd been raised to look at everything as a business opportunity. Paying kids to do chores is like killing two "prepare them for the future" birds with one stone: They learn how to do laundry/make beds/polish furniture AND how to handle their finances!
Plus, kids are just plain better about doing their chores when they know they're getting paid. I mean, obviously. So until Mary Poppins shows up at my house and those Star Wars guys start magically marching their action figure asses into closets, I'll pay my kids.
Do you reward your kids for doing chores?
Image via Mary-Frances Main/Flickr
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Comments 85
I think its a bunch of crap. Rewarding your kids for good behavior is fine. But rewarding them with MONEY? So we teach them that there is no other fullfilling reward besides money? That way they wont be content with a thank you, or with the knowledge that they've done something great for someone else? Forget that. Money is NOT everything (it sure the he** is a lot, I dont debate that, but it isn't everything.)
I will not pay my kids to show respect for the things that I have already spent money to get for them. They are expected to take of their room, and their belongings because they are THEIR belongings, and they need to be taught to respect property...theirs, others...whoevers. There are more rewards in this world then just money. And THAT is more important to teach them, then teaching them that nothing is worth doing unless they get paid for it.
I don't pay for my kids to do chores around the house, they do if they mow the yard because we have a huge yard, but not the every day cleaning. My kids are teenagers and they already know how to do everything it takes to keep a house maintained, including dishes, bathrooms, dishes and what not. They will learn how to keep finances when they get their own jobs, well, my oldest two already have jobs.
I never got paid for doing the household chores, I still managed to grow up and be responsible.
My parents didnt reward me never a good job and I just fine. My kids wont be rewarded cause I dont want them to be well I wont unless you give me this.
I think it's something that is one of those "well rounded" things. Yes, I think kids (and most anyone for that matter) is more likely to do chores or help out if they are going to receive something in return (money, rewards of some kind). This is "normal". At the same time kids (and most anyone else) have to also be taught that sometimes we do things without expecting to receive any type of payment. This is called learning compassion, kindness, empathy, etc. That's where proper parenting comes into play. Sometimes my children receive payment (in some way) for doing things around the house and sometimes they don't.
We recently started a point system in our house so I think I'm going to love this app. Looks like it'll be very helpful!
i got paid 6 bucks a week. I didnt do chores, I cleaned up after my familly of six because i was the oldest. i did the laundry the dishes all the floors all the bathrooms and allways cleaned up after dinner. my parents would have nice food like steak or crab legs and we got hamburger helper, and i cleaned it all. my sister got 6 bucks too shes six years younger and cleaned up poop in the backyard. all that did for me was make me hate house work with a passion and distrustful of every person or company that says they will pay me.
Now i have a 3 yo and you bet your ass i pay him. "come help mommy put away the plastic dishes and clean the potty" then he gets a quarter and towards the end of the week he has a stack of change for the dollar section at taget. And you know what he LOVES earning his own money foe his OWN toy that he chose and that he bought. He learns responsibility and the value of money not to mention hes getting great at counting. He also learns to be proud of a job well done and to do it right the first time because its easier that way. he lights up when we praise him for helping us and we go through about 50 cheers whoops high fives and hugs when he does a good job.
what is wrong with the way i do this? just because there is money involved it means im a horrible mother?
Yeah...no. Children need to learn responsiblity and that they are part of a family, a community. No, rewarding them for doing what they should be doing just sends them the message that they are entitled to something special for doing what is just part of daily life. We all live in this house, we all are part of this family, we all contribute. Extra stuff, sure. The main responsibilities? Such as cleaning up after themselves? No. Why on earth would I give my child/ren a present for cleaning their room?? Good grief. There is enough of that sense of 'the world owes me a living' from people these days, I will not add to that by teaching my children that they can get something for doing what they should be doing in the first place.
Oh, and can someone pay me to wash the dishes, do the laundry, clean the house, buy the groceries, etc etc etc? I didn't think so.