Do you distinguish between the two?

My husband and I were talking about this the other night.  I was thinking of starting our son soon with chores where he will get a small allowance, like a quarter, for doing certain things.  He will be four next month.

But then, I also don’t want him to expect money for everything he does, like cleaning up his toys when he makes a mess.  I want him to understand that some things are expected simply for being part of a family.

When I was growing up, I had an allowance.  I can remember getting one in fourth grade, but can’t remember about before then.  I remember having to clean my room and the bathroom (along with my sister) on Saturday morning in order to get my allowance.

But, I also made my lunch everyday and did my own laundry starting that year as well.  But those were not connected to my allowance, but more to needing to eat at school and wear clean clothes.   My Mom did her laundry, my Dad did his and my sister and I did our.  Interesting set up, now that I think about it, but both my parents worked and it worked for us.

I do believe in an allowance.  I believe it helps kids understand that you often need to save up for something you want and that you have to work to do that.  I used my allowance to go roller skating nearly every week.  If I wanted to go every week, I had to pay for it.  That was the deal.

I also like the idea of matching funds for something big, like a car.  The, you save up $2000 and I’ll match it to help you buy a car, sort of thing.   Or maybe for putting money in a Roth IRA or something.  What they put in, I match.  I like these ideas….incentives for saving.

So, I’m wondering…what kinds of chores are best for four year olds?  And do you have chores that are done because they are part of the family and then chores that are separately tied to allowance?

I do

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08/18/2009 | Life as Mom.

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