Does anyone use money/pocket money as rewards if so how do you do it- I have a 3 and 5yo

[sunshine05]

My 5 yo son decided to tidy his room today of his own accord (how refreshing!) so I rewarded him with 40p. His 3 year old brother then decided he wanted a reward so I gave him 30p after tidying up. We did start pocket money (50p for eldest and 30p for younger one every sunday) then I kept forgetting so it hasn't been consistent so far. I want it to start being a weekly thing but was thinking they could earn more if they help around the house etc. Anyone have a system already in place that works?

I know my 5yo is too old for stickers now so I'm looking for some sort of reward system that helps him to just stay in line a bit- like keeping his room tidy, getting ready for school in the mornings, being nice to his brother etc.

We did this for ours but stipulated that it could only be used for a certain thing - it worked well for a bit, but then they got too good at the things and it started costing us a fortune so we had to reduce the rewards!

But in the end we went off it, we decided that it worked better when they just got a 'thanks for your great work' than when we monetized it, now we just all work together because there is work to be done, and we decide together how much we should spend on certain things too. It's been nicer since, imo.

I don't like giving them money for jobs around the house as I think they just should help out.

We've only recently started giving pocket money as at ages 11 and 9, they have started to need some spends throughout the week. They both get $3 each. However, as ds used to bite his nails, and ds hates me cutting hers, they can lose up to $2 for dirty, tatty fingernails. That seems to be working very well and they've had lovely nails now since the summer hols when we started doing it. We have nail inspection on a Friday.

thanks for the replies. Yeah I see your point about wanting them to help out without having to reward them! I think I need a plan of action as to what age appropriate 'chores' can be done just as part of family life. At the moment I do everything and the only things they help with are putting stuff on the table for dinner and ...no that's about it! (apart from tidying up). I'm going to go off and google age appropriate chores now!

I think I'll probably do weekly pocket money but it just feels a bit wrong to just give it to them..for what? for nothing? Maybe I'll just expect tidy rooms before they get it- at least that's one thing less for me to do!

DS gets his pocket money if and only after he has done his set chores at weekend. No chores no pocket money no fuss. Chores done he will ask for pocket money.
At which point dh and have to scrable about for Change. DS gets given extra pocket money occasionally by us ( to spend at an event) OR by grandad ( no strings attached).

can I ask how old your DS is UniS Just so I have an idea of age?

My eldest is 8, he has a weekly amount of jobs, he starts off with £20 pocket money a month, but if the jobs are not done he gets docked.

4 year old gets £5 a month, only to keep his room tidy.

They love pay day :)
But they have to do jobs for their gran and great gran and they are not allowed to charge them for them.

No rewards here as I expect them to help out, that's what families do.

Pocket money - DS7 gets $7 a week and DD12 gets $12 a week, mostly it just goes into their savings accounts. They look forward to seeing their bank statements and making savings goals.

DS is now 8. Pocket money started when he was 4. Expected chores at that age were just table laying, clearing and tidying. With no expectation of chores done well or every day. When he asked for a significant hike in pocket money age 6 we introduced regular weekend chores that had to done to get the cash. School shoes cleaned and polished was the first. Now he tops up the log basket and kindling box, helps with washing up and cleans school shoes.

My 6 yr old still loves stickers as a reward!

Some chores are expected but if they go above and beyond they may get a gratuity. Am contemplating a tax for lights left on though ...

I expect my kids to help out too treadheaviily but surely giving pocket for no reason is worse than showing them they'll get money if they work hard (like they will have to do when they grow up and get a job?). I can't imagine my 3 boys will readily do all the chores I need them to do as they get older regardless of what I expect or would like from them, without some sort of incentive! Or maybe I'm being defeatest/negative in my outlook!

This blog entry really changed the way that I thought about using pocket money as a reward...

www.ducksinarowblog.com/2011/09/allowance-macdougall-family-style.html

DS (7) gets £3 a week for keeping his room and the playground study tidy. If it isn't done he doesn't get the money.

I see your point sunshine but been doing this for a few years and they are so good with their money. Mostly save it. When there is something they really want they can get their money out of the bank so in that respect I feel they are gaining an awareness of the value of money.

With respect to working for money, I don't agree with paying children a pittance simply because they're children. My elder one comes into work and does easily as good a job at filing etc as any admin staff and gets paid the going rate. For friends she cleans cars for $10 and a percentage of profits from selling stuff online.

The other is too young to work; I think he's got enough to do with school, soccer, playing and joining in normal family life.