Chores? - Aurora,CO

Hi K.
we have 4 children and we use a "earning" system.
you need to find what each child loves the most as every child is different. I made coupons on the computer and each chore they do they earn 15 minuets of thier favorite , my son its video games, and my oldest daughter is tv time. for my little girls its play makeup or paint thier nails. like I said it depends on the childs interest. mine are younger than yours but I bet you will figure something out, it could each coupon earning time at a friends house. etc..
these coupons have really seemed to work , if they dont do chores they dont get extras.

My daughter is just about 5, so I'm not sure if this method will work for you or not, but here goes.

Every week, I make a chart that lists her chores in a column with the dates for rows. Each chore that she does per day earns her a sticker for that chore/date. Every Sunday, we do a tally - She has 5 tasks per day x 7 days = 35 possible stickers. I prorate her allowance based on what chores she's completed that week. If she has all 35 stickers, she gets a dollar. If she has 25 stickers, 75 cents. 17 stickers, 50 cents, and so on.

It's also a great way to teach her math at her age. Since yours are older you may want to up the ante money wise - but why not come up with the same system for your household and give them a percentage of allowance based on what they actually do?

I was going to mention the same thing as Cori about Love & Logic. So I'll just add a couple links I found on L&L web site that is also fun. I love to listen to the Funny Parenting Stories http://www.loveandlogic.com/audioclips.html and read some articles. http://www.loveandlogic.com/articles.html And http://www.loveandlogic.com/press.html
Good Luck:)

Hi K.,
I've never used the point system, but another option you may consider is using Love and Logic. There are Love and Logic instructors that offer classes (usually aimed at certain ages for kids) that we have found really useful. You can find more information at Loveandlogic.com. Best of luck! I know you'll get there!
L.

The love and logic series of books has GREAT stuff to say about chores. Why they're important (for your sake AND theirs!), how to get them to do them, etc. It's just good old practical advice with specifics on execution. I think you'll love it! www.loveandlogic.com

When I was raising my stepson (I got him at age 15) I set up an allowance system. He got $20 a week (you can make it whatever amount you'd like) but he had to earn every penny. I made a chart for the fridge and everything had a payment next to it (daily; homework for one hour...$2.00, sweeping the kitchen floor...$.10, dishes...$.10 ...Saturday mowing the lawn, $2.00). It all added up to $20. Now, he would only get paid if he completed his chores before 10:00pm. If he didn't complete them in time, he still had to do them, but he wouldn't get paid.

The first week he did this he only got $8.20. He was livid!!!! But then I showed him the chart and the parts that were highlighted were the ones that he'd completed for his "wage". I also told him the only person he could be angry at was himself. We'd also sat down ahead of time to work out the payments and value of each, so he was in agreement. He hung his head, but the arguing stopped!

This helped so much!!! My mother also did this with me and my brother. I always got my $5 and he'd ever only get around $2, but it taught us a valuable lesson...you will only get paid for the work that you do.

Try it...it works great!