Should Your Kids Get Paid to Do Chores? Pros & Cons
Should your kids get paid to do chores? This is one of the age-old debates between parents and kids.
On the one hand, some parents argue that it is a parent’s responsibility to teach their child the value of hard work and personal responsibility.
And that paying them for doing chores takes away from this lesson.
On the other hand, other parents argue that paying kids for tasks incentivizes them to do a good job and helps them to learn the value of money.
So, what’s the right answer?
In our opinion, there are both pros and cons to both sides of the argument. Ultimately it is up to each family to decide what works best for them. We will outline the arguments of both sides below.
Why Kids Should Get Paid to Do Chores
Persuading kids to do household tasks can be a challenge. Even when offered an allowance, many kids will still drag their feet when doing tasks around the house.
However, one simple solution can help motivate even the laziest of children: pay them for their work.
It has been shown that children are more likely to complete chores when given a financial incentive.
When kids are getting paid for chores, they learn the following:
The Value of Hard Work and Responsibility
- You can encourage a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility by teaching your child to do chores.
- These are important lessons that will serve them well throughout their life. Furthermore, doing chores together can be a great way to bond as a family.
- It can also help children understand the importance of pitching in and working together.
- So instead of seeing chores as a burden, try to view them as an opportunity to teach your child some important life lessons.
The Ability to Save Money
- Your kids are never too young to learn the value of a dollar. Children can learn how to save their own money in a piggy bank or savings account by doing chores around the house.
- This teaches your child the importance of delayed gratification and helps them to develop financial responsibility.
- Additionally, chore-based allowance can help children to understand basic budgeting principles.
- For example, they may learn that if they want to save up for a more significant purchase, they need to be mindful of spending in other areas.
- As children get older and receive a regular allowance, they can build on these foundation skills by learning to invest their money wisely.
- Ultimately, doing chores can provide children with a valuable financial literacy lesson that will serve them well into adulthood.
Being a Contributing Member of the Family
When you give children money without having to work for it, they may not fully appreciate how much work it takes to earn money.
However, when paid for chores, they quickly learn that money does not come for free. It must be made through hard work.
This important lesson and teaching tool will serve them well as they grow up and enter the real world.
When kids are paid for doing regular chores around the house, they feel like they are a contributing member of the family who is helping to keep things running smoothly.
This sense of ownership and responsibility can lead to increased motivation and pride in their work, which can benefit the entire family.
Reasons Kids Should NOT Get Paid to Do Chores
There are a few good reasons why kids shouldn’t be paid to do chores.
- For one thing, it can create a sense of entitlement. If kids are used to being paid for cleaning up their room or taking out the trash, they may start to feel like they’re owed something for completing these tasks.
- Furthermore, paying kids for chores can foster a sense of competition within the family. If one child is paid $5 to mow the lawn while another only gets $3 for doing the dishes, it can cause some hard feelings.
- Finally, paying kids for chores can take away from the satisfaction of helping out around the house. When children are motivated by money, they may not be as inclined to put forth a strong effort or take pride in their work.
- So, while there may be some benefits to paying kids for chores, there are also some definite drawbacks. Ultimately, your family will have to decide the right thing for them.
Consider the Hybrid Method
The hybrid method is an excellent way of handling chores and tasks. Children pitch in around the house with age-appropriate chores on a regular basis.
Why? Because they are a family member, each family member pitches in and helps each other out. Examples of kid’s chores are:
- feeding pets
- picking up toys
- making bed
- putting away laundry
- putting away dishes
Reward your child’s hard work and good behavior by doing something fun with them instead of paying them for these family chores.
Your child can then earn money by performing additional chores such as:
- dusting
- cleaning windows
- cleaning baseboards
- cleaning mirrors
- clean house (such as sweeping and vacuuming)
- yard work
- weeding
- raking leaves
- mowing the lawn
- shoveling snow
If you choose to pay your children for chores, set clear expectations and rules around what tasks are included and how much they will be paid.
And don’t forget to praise their hard work, even if they’re not paid!
Use a Chore Chart to Motivate Your Child
- One way to get your kids to help around the house is to use a chore chart.
- A chore chart is a visual way to show your kids what tasks need to be completed and who is responsible for each task.
- Chores can be assigned based on age or ability. For younger children, simple tasks such as making their bed or wiping up after meals may be sufficient.
- Older children can handle more complicated tasks such as doing the laundry or taking out the trash.
- Assigning chores can help teach your kids responsibility and give them a sense of pride in their work. Plus, it will free up some time for you to relax or take care of other tasks.
- To get started, simply create a list of chores and assign them to each member of the family. Then, post the chart in a visible location and refer to it often.
- With a little effort, you can turn chore time into quality family time.
Check out my article, 19 Helpful Tips to Raise Responsible Kids, which includes a free printable chore chart!
How Much Should You Pay Your Child for Doing Chores?
- First, think about the age of your child. A five-year-old will probably not do the same quality (or quantity) of work as a teenager. Likewise, young kids are likely to need more supervision than older ones. Adjust your expectations – and your pay rate – accordingly.
- Next, consider the difficulty of the chore. You may want to compensate your child accordingly if it takes time or effort. But if it’s a simple task that can be done quickly and easily, you may not need to pay as much.
- Finally, consider what else your child is getting for doing their chores. If they’re receiving an allowance or other financial compensation, you may not need to pay them as much per chore. On the other hand, if they’re not getting any other form of payment, you may want to consider paying them a little extra.
- Some people suggest paying your child $1 to $2 a week per year of age. If this seems too much or not enough, come up with a figure that works well with your budget.
- There is not just one way when it comes to paying your child for chores. The important thing is to come up with a system that works for you and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
For many kids, getting an allowance is a rite of passage. It’s a way to earn and learn how to manage your own money. But what exactly is an allowance? An allowance is an amount of money given to a person regularly, typically weekly or monthly. A lot of parents give their children an allowance to teach them the value of money and how to budget.
There are a few different ways to determine the allowance amount, but it should generally be based on the child’s age and responsibilities. For example, a younger child who doesn’t have many expenses may only receive a few dollars per week, while an older child with more expensive tastes may receive a larger amount. Ultimately, the best way to figure out an allowance is to sit down with your child and determine what makes sense for your family.
For your children to do their chores without an allowance, you must be creative and develop an incentive system that works for your family. One option is to tie chores to privileges, such as letting them choose a movie after finishing their duties for the day. You could also set up a chore chart where they earn points for every task they complete and can then trade those points for rewards like extra screen time or a special treat. Whatever chore system you decide on, stick to it and consistently enforce it. Using some patience and a bit of creativity, you should be able to get your kids to help out with household chores without needing to offer them an allowance.
For younger kids, stopping allowance when they enter middle school is a good idea. They’re old enough to start understanding financial responsibility but still young enough to need some guidance. For older kids, it may make sense to stop allowance when they get their first job. This will allow them to earn their own money and learn how to budget it responsibly. Of course, these are just general guidelines. Talk to your child about money and help them develop the skills they need to manage it wisely.
Consider your child’s age and physical ability when deciding when to start chores. Assigning tasks that are too difficult or time-consuming for a young child can lead to frustration and resentment. Don’t forget to factor in your expectations and tolerance for messes. Even a child from a young age can begin doing simple chores. Starting your child on chores at an early age may mean more work for you in the short term, but it can pay off in the long run by teaching them responsibility and giving them a sense of accomplishment.
Final Thoughts
So, what do you think? Do you have any compelling reasons why you would or would not pay your kids to do chores? Please share your thoughts about this important topic!
For further reading, check out this article, The Ultimate List of Age-Appropriate Chores for Children and Teens.
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