My oldest son, a teenager, was telling me that he really needs a raise in his allowance.
But, you haven’t even been doing any chores at all to earn the allowance you are already getting, I said.
Well, I think going to school and playing football count as my chores.
Hahaha. No, they do not.
But it got me thinking about how chores have changed for my children as they have gotten older. They simply do not have as much free time to do nightly chores. Chores for them have evolved into weekend tasks that I ask them to do on an as needed basis. It is ironic that now that they are at an age to actually be helpful they have no time to do any of the chores!
Ah, parenting. Just when you think you have things figured out, it changes on you.
In 6th grade, my son did a survey on allowances. Most got paid $1 x age for going to school on time, doing homework, and eating veggies. That’s about $10/week for doing what you are PERSONAL management. My son by that time had about 9 chores (1 x age) of items that took 1-2mins a piece. Making bed, loading dishwasher, cleaning litterbox, ect. was the norm. He tried to explain to those kids that doing things that don’t add to the FAMILY MANAGEMENT, like waking up or showers, does not equal chores, but personal responsibility. These kids are now in high school, and have a hard time getting tasks done without constant and direct supervision. I now have 3 kids, with various after school activities, and yet they all manage to get household chores done. They also manage to get homework and showers done as well. Though I may still have to bribe them to eat their veggies.
Comment by Claire — October 28, 2009 @ 11:09 am
So true! I think the trick is to change the program before they do.
My kids and I do chores every morning from 8-12 but we can do that because we homeschool. They might be stupid but they know how to work hard! Kidding. After working that hard they feel privileged to sit down to study and read in the afternoons.
Comment by The Lazy Organizer — October 30, 2009 @ 12:00 am
I am a fairly new mom. I just adopted three girls: 17, 12, and 11 (all sisters). I have never been married nor have any additional children so this is all new to me. I have been struggling to figure out a reasonable chore list and allowance for them. Money is tight and making the adjustment to the needs of 3 additional people in the household has been challenging. Any words of wisdom are welcome.
Comment by Kacky — November 18, 2009 @ 1:02 am
I agree with all of you, allowances are more and more complicated as the kids grow older.
Comment by mom — January 18, 2010 @ 2:37 pm