Donald and I have been feeling a strong need to teach our children the principals of self-reliance, hard work, and responsibility. We want them to know the joy that comes from working hard for something and to grow up to be financially responsible adults.
We also know that there is no better time to start teaching these principals than now. So we decided to initiate chores into the Sorenson household. The children are still quite young, so the chores we chose are age appropriate. At the end of the week they will be paid 25 cents for each time a chore was completed. With 3 chores each they have the potential of earning $5.25/week. However, a lazy week might not bring in such high revenue.
Now here is the part where Donald and I must use self-control. We are in the habit of spoiling our children. You know, they see a coloring book at the store that they want and we buy it because it only costs $1.99. Well, those days are over. From now on, all Sorenson children {except sweet Lizzy} will buy their own treats. So yes, they still might come home from the store with a coloring book that cost $1.99....but only if they purchase it with their own hard earned money.
This new system will accomplish several things. First, it will teach the girls the value of money. Second, they will gain a greater appreciation for their belongings because they will have worked to buy them. Third, Donald and I will be saving a ton of money by not splurging on their every little desire.
We also know that there is no better time to start teaching these principals than now. So we decided to initiate chores into the Sorenson household. The children are still quite young, so the chores we chose are age appropriate. At the end of the week they will be paid 25 cents for each time a chore was completed. With 3 chores each they have the potential of earning $5.25/week. However, a lazy week might not bring in such high revenue.
Now here is the part where Donald and I must use self-control. We are in the habit of spoiling our children. You know, they see a coloring book at the store that they want and we buy it because it only costs $1.99. Well, those days are over. From now on, all Sorenson children {except sweet Lizzy} will buy their own treats. So yes, they still might come home from the store with a coloring book that cost $1.99....but only if they purchase it with their own hard earned money.
This new system will accomplish several things. First, it will teach the girls the value of money. Second, they will gain a greater appreciation for their belongings because they will have worked to buy them. Third, Donald and I will be saving a ton of money by not splurging on their every little desire.
To help us get started I created a chore board. I bought a canvas style bulletin board from Target and some coordinating ribbons:
I wove the ribbon across the board to form a grid and stapled the ends to the back:
Jumbo sized push pins will mark which chores were completed on which days:
It all starts today!
We then stapled on their daily chores as well as capital letters to represent the days of the week.
I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Take a peek:
I am quite pleased with how it turned out. Take a peek:
It all starts today!
***I understand that some people may find $5.25 to be a rather high allowance for such young children. However, they will only earn that much if they complete each task, each day. Also, a total pay out of $10.50 is a drop in the bucket compared to what we usually spend on these girls each week. Trust me when I say, we are coming out ahead!
