Kiddie Comission, Chores and Tablespoons
Since Katelyn and Madelyn are 2.5 and 4.5 years old we decided a couple of weeks ago to implement a chore chart and commission system for the girls. We are doing this a la Dave Ramsey. We’ve decided that we are not going to do “allowance” but rather pay “commission” for doing chores around the house. The girls both have specific daily chores they are to do to earn their $1 a day for 5 days. The rest of the chores they are expected to do because they are members of our family. We will not be paying them for every little thing the do! They will each get $5 dollars a week as long as their daily chores are checked off on their chore charts:
They are required to give $1 to church, $2 to savings and keep $2. They put their money in some glass jars we have so they can see their dollars building up.
This way they are learning to give to church (We believe in tithes and offerings to church) save for their future ( maybe a car??) and then have money to spend as well. This will also teach them to value their money and make good choices when it comes to spending it. Katelyn seems to be having the most trouble with this. Madelyn doesn’t seem to care all that much.
Katelyn asked the other day if we could stop at Dunkin’ Donuts or McDonald’s. I told her I didn’t have any money for it but that she was more than welcome to spend hers. However, if she spent her money on junk food she wouldn’t have any left to go to Toys R Us in a few weeks to buy a toy. She got all upset and said ” I don’t want to spend my moneys! I wan YOU to buy it with your moneys!!”
Aaahh.. the refreshing candor of children.
She also asked how much “moneys” she was getting and I said she was getting two dollars after giving to our church and saving. She cried ” I don’t want two moneys I want seven moneys!!”
We have quite a few lessons to learn, don’t we? But this is a great lesson in reality that many adults don’t get these days. Katelyn doesn’t like delayed gratification just like most of us!
She’s also learning working and getting money go together. This has been fun and eye opening!
Katelyn’s daily chore list is as follows:
Pick up toys in her bedroom
Pick up toys in playroom
Feed our dog Benny (I put the food in his bowl. She brings and takes the bowl)
Put dirty clothes in hamper/shoes in shoe basket
Madelyn’s chores are as follows:
Pick up toys in bedroom
Pick up toys in playroom
Put her shoes in shoe basket (we have a problem if losing shoes and/or tripping over them because they are always scattered around. Drives me nuts!!)
Put her dishes in the sink (or on the kitchen counter)
Everything else they are expected to do because we told them to and because they are a contributing and valued member of our family.
This chore chart and commission works for me!
And on a side note I wanted to share this small tidbit that has been working for me as well.
Do your kids eat oatmeal? Do your smaller ones have trouble getting the oatmeal from the bowl, on the spoon and into their mouth with out dumping it all over their shirt? Same goes for any kind of cereal.
I’ve found that a measuring Tablespoon works perfectly for this!
It’s deep enough to keep the oatmeal in the spoon without it pouring out as Madelyn tries to get it in her mouth. Eating oatmeal has become much less frustrating for her and me!
This post is linked up to Works For Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family.
