Is there a benefit to paying kids to do chores around the house? It’s a bit of a dilemma. On one hand, you want your kids to do chores as a contribution to the household. Everyone pitches in and does their part to keep the home relatively clean. On the other hand, it is an opportunity for them to earn money and learn some money management skills.
If you are wondering if paying your kids an allowance for doing chores is a good thing or a bad thing don’t stress about it. Do what feels best for your situation. There is no right answer.
Below are some pros and cons of paying your kids an allowance for chores. Read them over and see what resonates with you. If there are more pros that sound good then go that route and pay your kids for doing chores. Do the cons outweigh the pros? Then don’t pay them. Maybe you will find that a more balanced (hybrid) approach works better. Whatever you choose remember that you can change your mind. If you start out paying your kids for chores and realize it is not working out as expected then make adjustments.
Pros for paying kids to do chores
1. Respect for earning money
When kids get paid for doing chores they learn how work and money are related. Do the chores and they are rewarded with pay. If they do not do their chores, they do not earn money. Pretty simple.
2. Paying kids can help them learn money management skills
Earning money gives kids an opportunity to learn how to spend and save their money. If they are paid weekly or monthly they will learn budgeting skills early on.
3. They become wise spenders
When kids earn their own money they are generally more careful with how they spend it. I am amazed at the thought my kids put into making some purchases. At the same time, they have no problem spending money on things I personally would not even consider.
Cons for paying kids to do chores
1. Expect payment for everything
By tying allowance to chores kids may get the idea that they don’t need to do anything unless they are compensated. Of course, this is not always the case but it is a potential con.
2. They may opt-out
Paying your kids to do chores may send the message that doing the chores is optional. If you are okay with this possibility, then it is a nonissue. However, if you want the chores done then you may have a struggle at some point. Especially, if your child is more defiant or really does not care much about money.
3. Paying kids for chores may not support the “family contribution” value
Chores have been a part of family life for years. All members of the family pitch in to keep the household up and running. Chores not only teach responsibility and respect, they also teach kids how to manage their own households when they are adults. Paying kids an allowance for chores may not have the same impact.
The balanced (or hybrid) approach for paying kids to do chores
In our home, we have standard chores that our kids do not get paid for. These are daily and weekly chores that must be done after homework and before going out.
Examples of daily chores:
- Garbage – daily plus take the cans out weekly
- Sweep
- Dust
- fill bathrooms with TP
- pick up dog poop in the backyard
- tidy up around the house
They have the opportunity to do extra chores for money. There are daily, weekly, monthly, and one-time chores available for them to choose from. Generally, they take advantage of this when they have their mind set on buying something or when they see their bank account low. One con to this method is that we don’t always have extra chores available for them. There have been times when I really had nothing to offer them to do. However, that is real life. There will not always be a job available the minute you want it so it is a good idea to not be in desperate mode if possible. So…I guess that is a pro.
We also give them a small allowance each month that is not tied to chores. They can use this money for extra activities, food, clothes, video games, or whatever they choose. It is up to them to manage their own money and set their own priorities. This seems to work well for all of us. Not only are they learning to budget their money they are also not asking us for spending money. This helps us out with our budgeting as well. It is a fixed amount we add to our expenses each month which makes it much easier for us financially.
Bottom line – should kids get paid for doing chores?
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. Whatever you decide just be sure it lines up with your family values. You may also find that not all methods work well with all kids. What motivates one kid may not motivate another so take that into consideration as well.
A good starting point is determining why you want your kids to do the chores in the first place and then asking yourself if rewarding them with money supports it.
Thanks for reading!
Stay balanced,
Jill