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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have docked DD's pocket money for not picking up after dog

26 replies

sdr · 09/12/2009 14:27

DD's 12 & 15 don't have many chores, but they both have to take it in turns to pick up dog poo in the garden twice a day.

After they'd both left this morning, went out and obviously had not been done for at least 24 hours and ... what had been picked up was not done properly.

We've warned them repeatedly, so when I paid their pocket money for the month today into their bank accounts, I docked them £1 each.

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 09/12/2009 14:28

Yanbu.

HugeBaublesWhatDidISayRoy · 09/12/2009 14:28

Fair enough action i think. Part of their pocket money is to pick up the poop, and if it is not done, then no payment due.

Stick to your guns.

minouminou · 09/12/2009 14:31

Yup....you're bang on there. Good on ya!

Pineapplechunks · 09/12/2009 14:33

If its part of their agreed contract with you for pocket money and they're not fulfilling it then YANBU.

Make sure they know why they've been shorted and I bet they'll do a better job next time.

Original poster
sdr · 09/12/2009 14:36

Just now sitting and waiting for the grumbles when they get in from school. Oldest already complaining about how expensive December is for her (welcome to the real world).

Thought I should be feeling a bit remorseful, but NO.

OP posts:
paisleyleaf · 09/12/2009 14:37

Sounds fair enough.
Although I think I'd rather forfeit a £1 a month than pick up dog poo myself too.

123andaway · 09/12/2009 14:39

I don't think you should be making the kids pick up the dog poo from the garden in the first place!!

It's not unreasonable to make them do some chores, and deduct pocket money if they don't, but not scooping up poo - ewwwww!!

YABU

SkipToMyLou · 09/12/2009 14:43

I'm guessing it's their dog too 123, so why shouldn't they help with the yuck jobs too?

Original poster
sdr · 09/12/2009 14:43

They wanted and begged for the dog.

OP posts:
PotPourri · 09/12/2009 14:44

YANBU. And I think you should give them more chores gradually too. Can't stand kids being lazy and having no appreciation of how much work goes into normal life

MarioandLuigi · 09/12/2009 14:45

This is the very reason I am glad we dont have a dog.

secretgardin · 09/12/2009 14:48

totally agree along with wanting a dog comes responsibility of poop scooping

123andaway · 09/12/2009 14:51

How long have you had the dog? Was it part of the agreement of getting the dog that they would be responsible for scooping the poop?

Original poster
sdr · 09/12/2009 15:55

PotPourri - that is the whole issue with them at the mo. All we seem to get is "we want ... taking there, picking up, buying things", but not a lot in return. I know I'm a lot softer than my parents were.

123 - the dog is only 3 and was part of the agreement. Also their chore list is quite short anyway.

OP posts:
fernie3 · 09/12/2009 15:58

YANBU seems reasonable for them to do this job. Mine do little jobs although they are too little for pocket money!

be careful though when I was young I also had to clean up after the dog and most of the time used to either flick it over the fence (!) or into the flower beds

AmazingBouncingFerret · 09/12/2009 16:06

YANBU.

Why shouldnt they scoop up poo? They are 12 and 15, completely reasonble job for that age imo.

ginnybag · 09/12/2009 16:22

Definitely not unreasonable for 12 and 15. T'will do them good to learn there are consequences and a pound isn't a massive amount!

In fact, when they whinge, point out you warned them and that it will be more next time. Actions have consequences. Good on you for making them earn their pocket money and for showing a bit of steel. They will be better adults for it in the long run.

TLESinChristmasStockings · 09/12/2009 16:42

DS1 gets pocket money for chores. He volunteered to shake out and rinse ds2s nappies ready to be washed. If he doesn't do it then he gets 50p deducted from pocket money, but then he does get 10p a nappy. 30p for unloading dishwasher, 30p for loading it, 30p for cleaning the floor when he and ds2 have been playing and so on...
so no YANBU

StewieGriffinsMom · 09/12/2009 16:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
sdr · 09/12/2009 17:07

Oh fernie!! Whatever did your neighbours say?

OP posts:
Asana · 09/12/2009 18:19

I hope I'm not being a bit old-fashioned , but why on earth would anyone pay their children to do chores around the house?

Not having a dig at the OP as it doesn't seem like her DCs' chores are directly linked to their pocket money - rather, not doing accepted chores will lead to some sort of punishment which, in this case, is the loss of pocket money (correct me if I'm wrong!).

I guess my question's more directed at TLES.

TLESinChristmasStockings · 09/12/2009 20:32

Asana for various reasons tbh. But the main one is to give him an idea of earning something iyswim? Yes I can with a battle (at times) get him to do his chores, without pocket money. But I found it easier to give him an incentive whilst at the same time he is learning important life skills.

I am of the mind that you don't get something for nothing and therefore feel it is better for him to earn his pocket money rather than just be given money for nothing. I hate the whole pocket money thing anyway and it is only recently I have introduced this method with him. And so far so good.

Asana · 10/12/2009 08:54

But you provide a warm stable home for him for nothing. Responsibility in the home should have little or nothing to do with payment, shouldn't it? It's all about living together and contributing accordingly.

upahill · 10/12/2009 09:15

I am in agreement with Asana over the pocket money issue although I do agree with OP and what has been done there.

I don't give out pocket money to ds 1 and 2 although they always have a bit of money about them. They get pretty much what they want BUT I expect them to jump and do jobs when I ask them to. When they moan because they are to busy on Farmville or whatever it gets switched off. I expect things done to be done at mine (or their dads) request not when it suits them. eg lay the table because the food is coming ready.

When they moan about doing jobs they are told that we all live in the same house, we all get it dirty therefore we all help tidy. Another one that gets rhyemed out is that if everyone does a little no one has to do alot. They roll their eyes to I'm your mother not your skivvy! (They still whinge though!!)

purpleduckUnderTheMistletoe · 10/12/2009 09:35

OP YA totally NBU

They are plenty old enough.

We have a similar system - they start off with an amount, and if they don't do their very few small chores, it gets docked. I am spineless soft, and they generally get a chance to earn it back by doing something above and beyond.

I didn't really want to get into them only doing chores for money - I think we are a family and we should all help each other. But at the same time I want them to get the satisfaction of earning their money, and learn about budgeting.