what are your views of giving a child an allowance?

Question

we believe that if they do thier chores they will get a set amount or candy/movies/toys/ etc. and if they want money they have to do extra. no "well can i have my money now or get this item now if i do this later?"

my husband thinks, depending on the age of the child if they want to watch a show they have to write a certain amount of what they enjoyed(young age) and as got older what they learned about the show

well nicky if they arent learning anything then they shouldnt be watching it. i suggest you should watch mind of carlos mencia. even now i watch a show even if its just the discovery channel and write down the facts of what i learned off that show. there is nothing wrong with having your child get an education even at an early age. all children now adays watch spongebob and learn nothing and zombify for hours or games just so the parent doesnt have to deal with them while doing chores, that teaches nothing. if you are going to sit them in front of the tube(i advice you sit with them too) to learn something of it. having them write down reports will give them a lead in concentration and reports for the future years of school which will be a main factor in english class and help with writing,spelling and grammar.

Answer 1

I think you two have some great ideas.

I don't believe in rewarding children for daily chores, though. In a family, everyone has a job and chores are part of that. To use the expectation of toys or candy as a reward after chores are completed is the same as an allowance. That leaves an opening for them not to do chores when they don't want candy, etc.

I believe that if children need spending money for an outside activity with friends, then you find a way for them to earn it.

Answer 2

I never really got a actual allowance. I did chores. From 7th grade on I cooked most of the dinner meals because my parents both worked. I got money if I was going to the movies once in a while or going to a football game or dance, but giving kids an allowance for doing nothing around the house is not a good idea. They need to learn that chores are a part of life and that they should not get expect to get paid if they are not doing anything. I mean, when they get out in the real world, if they don't do the work at their job they will get fired...lesson learned!

Answer 3

I think it depends on the age of the child. Certainly a young child has no 'expenses', isn't interested in buying his/her own clothes, toiletries, books, magazines, etc.

However, giving a small amount that goes into a piggy bank (children are very 'hands on'...taking that dollar to the bank every week is a bit esoteric for a young child), to save up for something 'special' instills an understanding of saving money. Receiving that dollar for chores performed (which should, of course, be age reflective) instills an understanding of earning.

Learning to earn the money BEFORE they get their wanted toy or whatever is an excellent idea. Such knowledge instilled at a young age will probably help them avoid the credit disasters so many people today grapple with.

You and your spouse should sit down and discuss whether or not either of you received an allowance as children, and if so, what did you learn (or not learn) from getting it...and what do you wish to teach your children. Your best answer will come from that discussion!

Good luck!

Answer 4

How I grew up is having an allowance so I could learn to budget. We got an allowance for completing our chores for the week. 50% had to go into our savings account, 10% to church, and we got to choose where the other 40% went. It was a small amount-only like $10-but I learned about the importance of budgeting. If we wanted to earn something extra money for something special (say around christmas time) we were given extra chores-like mopping the floor-I really understood that it take effort to get what you want. I hope that helps!
As a side note-the TV reports seems like a good idea. There is definately a benefit of educational TV.

Answer 5

Kids should definitely do chores or something in order to get a regular allowance. I agree. I don't have kids of "allowance age" yet but when I was a kid, I had a set amount of chores I had to do (ex. set the table, load/empty the dishwasher, take out the garbage, do my own laundry). I alternated even days for me & odd days for my brother for some chores. It was a regular thing. It's a good way for kids to "earn" the money you give them. Allowance was a regular amount every week. The amount would be lower if we disobeyed & was a form of punishment. Getting additional money from my mother required a "necessity" not a "want". So If I wanted something, I had to save for it. This taught me the value of money & could be the reason why I have no credit card debt & am so good with money today. Thanx Mom!

Answer 6

In our family, our children got an allowance beginning in first grade. We give each child $1 for every grade they are in. We require them to give 10% to our church, put 25% in savings, and they may use the remaining 65% as they wish. Allowance day is every Tues. since that is the day my husband gets paid. Their allowance is given to them because they are part of the family. That money is not contingent on their chores. Each child has their own responsibilities and chores they are expected to do and they do not get compensation for them. We have a running list of extra jobs worth extra money if someone wants something special or is trying to save up for a bigger ticket item. Chores are expected to be done and usually are with some reminders. We want the children to learn how to manage money with their allowance. So, when we go to the store and someone forgets their money, we do not buy something for them and let them give us the money later. Nor do we give them money before a job is completed and approved. I have heard lots of different ways and reasons for allowance. I don't think there is a good or bad way, just different ways depending on the lesson you are hoping to teach them.

Answer 7

I do 1 dollar a week for every year, starting at four. My four year old has to use the money to buy what she wants, with the usual restictions. There are two articles from the Wall Street Journal that would be helpful. The first is 'An Early Lesson in Saving' and the second is 'Allowance: Not Childs Play'. The links to both are below. Let me know if they don't work and I will send you the text.

Answer 8

No Allowance Make Em Hussle The Mean Streets,No Just Kidding,However The Duty To The Household Should Not Be Concidered Work

Answer 9

i am 13 and i know for a fact that an allowance should not be given for nothing. Allowances are from chores, work and you dont seem to grasp that. candy, movies, and toys are things YOU get them. Giving us money teaches us kids responsibility of using money. So, when a child reaches the point where he has a job, you will have made it so he will irrationally spend his money. I am 13 and understand the prospect of saving and working. I go out and buy what i want after choosing it and saving, because i understand the prospect of saving and thinking. I only get things from my parents at christmas, my birthday, and certain other occasions, and i recieve an overall of 20 dollars a week doing all work exept lawn work. I get extra money for that and only that, and i am perfectly happy.
PS. im not tryin to be offensive but you have one wierd *** family and im glad i ain your kid.

Answer 10

Allowance should be given based on the amount of the chores and how long it takes to do them.
Chores and allowance go hand in hand with a job and a paycheck. IF you teach your children now that everything, including money comes with a price, then later they wont be as obstinate about having a job.