We started the Dime-a-chore system as taught by our pastor many years ago. I had tried several other systems over the years and none has worked as well as this one. I hope it works well for you too.
Each child has a chart with 6-12 chores/activities I want them to do every day. It might include hygiene, music, pets, and homework, whatever I am trying to get them to accomplish each day. Each child vacuums one room in the house every day and has one kitchen chore each day. I pay 10 cents for each chore.
Each child does 2 large chores a week. We call them Friday chores. One is their room complete (sheets, laundry away, toys, vacuum, etc) and the second is another room in the house (their bathroom mopped & scrubbed, or kitchen scrubbed & mopped) I pay $1 each for these weekly chores.
Now I am hearing you say "That is a lot of money!" Well think of all the times you give them $1 here and $5 there to go somewhere (McDonald’s, the ice cream truck, etc). Now I don't! They use their money for tithe first, then outings, music, friend’s birthday gifts, and other wants. I still pay for needs, and they pay for wants!
It gives me the perfect opportunity to teach them about budgeting and I get less hassle about chores. They even have an "extra" category for anything else I ask them to do or when they have to do a siblings chore! I do not hear anymore “That is not my job”.
We use the Wipe Off Chore Charts at http://www.mypreciouskid.com/products.html Use a Sharpy permanent marker to write in the chores (fingernail polish remover will take it off when you want to change chores) Then use a dry erase marker for the charting! I pay every week or every 2 weeks when daddy gets paid.
Then I help them figure out their tithe, put money in savings and budget for the next 2 weeks. After years with this system I have teenagers who can budget and plan wisely. I also have kids who know how to clean and how to do laundry. I want them to be self-sufficient when they leave my home. They all cook regularly too. I hope these tips will help your family as much as they have helped mine. Blessings to you and your family.
More ARTICLES about business, parenting, adoption, homeschool and more by Kay Green!
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Articles written by Kay Green, Christian homeschool mom to Melissa 20, Jordan 18, Allison 15, Haley 3. Her and her husband of 24 years live in rural Oregon with the kids, 2 dogs, and 1 cats.
COPYRIGHT 2003 My Precious Kid, Kay Green
All rights reserved. Reprinting is only with permission and with this author's box and copyright intact. Email kay@mypreciouskid.com for permission to use this article.
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