Chores vs. Allowance: To Pay or Not to Pay
- Bonnie Zucker Psy.D.
- Foster Cline MD
- Joanne Stern
As your child gets older, deciding how much allowance to give them usually depends on several factors. But how do you determine what constitutes fair? Just last year, even the Obamas were called "cheap" for only paying 1st daughters $1 a week for allowance. In fact, Michelle does reportedly insist that they make their own beds. But some people question whether chores and allowance should go hand in hand entirely.
In our Parents Ask episode Joanne Stern, Bonnie Zucker, and Foster Cline gave us their take on whether chores should be consempated with allowance and all three had very different opinions. Take a look!
Still not sure where you stand on the great chores vs. allowance divide? Here's the breakdown of the facts and opinions that brought our experts to Yes, No or "Sometimes..."
Joanne Stern says, "No!" Children should not be paid for chores under any circumstance.
Why?
She believes being a valuable member of the family means participating in the day to day "chores" such as taking out the trash and doing the dishes. If kids are paid for these things than they will expect everything they do deserves some sort of compensation.
Obviously, we don't want to raise entitled children. But shouldn't some efforts be rewarded?
Bonnie Zucker, says absolutely "Yes!"
Why?
Always pay your child allowance for helping with chores. By paying your child it teaches them to be prepared for adulthood. It gives them a sense of independence and can help them learn money management. She also believes it teaches them that when you work hard, you do get a reward.
And in the "not all chores are created equal" camp...
Foster Cline doesn't necessarily agree that all work is hard, and certainly that all work should result in payment.
Why?
"Only certain jobs should be paid," says Foster. Doing the dishes, taking out the trash, cleaning their bedrooms-- these are all part of being a member in the house. Only things that are extra special, "outside of the day to day family operations" should elicit an allowance. Foster believes chores like babysitting a sibbling always should equate with a compensation.
So how can you get your child to do chores, without having to bribe them with money?
Well, Anton Simunovic, technologist, entrepreneur, father of six and founder of threejars.com, an internet service teaching kids how to be responsible with money and the importance of giving back, adamantly believes chores and allowaance remain completely separate issues. In a story for Babble.com, Anton said "When it comes to chores tell the kids 'Whoever lives in the house has to help manage the home — case closed.' Our kids lose TV, Internet or cell phone privileges rather than money to ensure beds are made and the trash is taken out. Practicing money skills through allowance is too important an issue to gum-up with chores." Anton adds, "Remember, paying effective allowance is our best tool to get our kids responsible with money before they leave the family nest."
Well, no matter what camp you live in, one thing is for sure, SOMEONE has to do the chores. Check out our friends at MommyTracked.com's Chore Pad... Now THAT is worth paying for!
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