To give a cash reward to the twin who gets the best GCSE results?

[Stackss]

DS and DD are both in year 11 so have their GCSEs coming up shortly. Both are bright and of very similar if not identical academic ability and are predicted very similar grades.

Both are relatively hard working (although with a tendency to coast) but DH and I would really like them to knuckle down and push themselves to get the best grades possible.

We therefore came up with the idea of an effort-based reward scheme allowing them to earn treats for completing revision- e.g. 75 hours= a meal out, 150 hours= a night away etc.

However, both twins have suggested that instead, the twin who gets the best results should receive the whole cash reward. They are both competitive with each other and have said this would give them greater incentive to work harder.

My concern is that the twin who doesn't do as well will be doubly disappointed on results day as they will also get no reward. Should I go with the twins' suggestion?

Incredibly terrible idea. Really really bad. Both should get a reward if they work hard - and one that cements and builds their relationship not one that will cause resentment and conflict.

No, that's horrible.

Even if they suggested it, they don't realise the impact it could have on the one who 'loses'.

Really bad idea.

It’d be a no for me, I like to incentivize effort rather than achievement.

No this is awful.

What about being rewarded for trying your best???? And not encouraging unhealthy perfectionism, which can lead to a host of mental health problems.

just do something like

£90 per 9
£80 per 8
£70 per 7
£60 per 6
etc

scale it down if they are likely to receive all 8/9 obviously

No!!!!!’n

They are children and have many terrible ideas.
I took mine on holiday as a reward - for the hard work (they did work hard) not the grade which they cannot control. The reward for their outstanding grades is the grades themselves and the college/uni offers.

Terrible idea setting siblings up in competition to each other.
Have you seen what's going on in the news at the moment around sibling jealousy??????

Equally bad as is still rewarding results not effort.

No that’s terrible. And also the hours of working reward is a bad one. Just encourages them to be unproductive. Pitting them against each other is really poor form.

I had a friend whose waist length blonde hair fell out due to exam stress and never grew back.
There are more important things in life. You are putting too much pressure on with regard to hours revised etc. They have to want to do it.

Awful idea.

Why would you do that? Why would you even consider that??

Parenting lesson #1 - don't encourage your children to compete against each other
Parenting lesson #2 - just because the kids think something is a good idea, does not mean the thing is a good idea

Words fail me.

Sure, why not, what could possibly go wrong…

Why not give them an amount per grade with a higher grade getting a higher amount. They way they’re each incentivised and both get a reward but can also compete against each other.

I think it’s a bit unfair. Yeah one twin might get all 9s but the other might get all 8s which is still fantastic and needs rewarding.

Personally I would offer (for example) a certain £££ amount for each grade. So each A gets £20, each B gets £15 and each C £10 (obviously you can change each monetary amount according to what you can afford).

I think that’s fair and both get rewarded for effort in some way.

Can you say you will go along with their plan, let them study competitively then on the day give them both a reward/present. Maybe something trivial for the 'winner' like a chocolate medal

Of course it’s a terrible idea. So one tries their hardest but loses out anyway?? Do as pp said and pay them per grade.

I’m sure they think it’s a great idea as I’m sure they both feel confident they will win. Both of them not thinking about how shitty it will be if they lose. What if they get exact same grades except in one subject that would be even more gutting.

I like @jtaeapa’s idea.

And don’t come back and say a variation of ‘it was their idea’.
You’re the adult, they are children.

They have the same genetics, so the one who doesn't do as well hasn't worked as hard.

Still, no need for you to punish them for laziness. The world will do that.

Awful idea.

If they want a competitive edge and rewards for results as well as effort, you could reward each grade with a different amount e.g. 7s = £X, 8s = £X+Y, 9s = £X+Y+Z etc

That way if one does better they ‘win’ and get more money but the other one doesn’t lose out.

I would also stick with the rewarding effort alongside this anyway.