Parenting: Asking for an allowance

April 27, 2012 (WPVI) -- My ten year old has been asking for an allowance for quite some time. It seems like it might be good to start one for all the kids but somehow starting the allowance seems difficult to me.

What do they have to do to earn the money? How much should they get? Do they spend it on anything they want?

I don't want my children to think I'm paying them to help around the house. I think they should do the chores because I ask them to help out and because I feed and clothe them! However the truth is, they rarely make their beds unless I nag them and they always leave their coats and book bags on the floor.

I decided to make a list of all of the things they should do on a daily and weekly basis. If they are caught not picking up after themselves more than twice, they do not get their allowance that week.

I was watching "We Owe What?" on our Live Well Network and financial expert Mary Caraccioli advised a family to give an allowance to their children based on their age. So, my ten year old would get ten dollars a week.

If you do that, the children should pay for some things that you would normally buy for them. This teaches them the value of a dollar and the need to save money for bigger items.

I found other comments helpful at "The Art of Parenting."

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karen rogers parenting reports, parenting, karen rogers

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