The way our chore system works is that each day the children have chores they complete and then a list of additional chores they can choose to do or not do. If they choose to complete those additional chores, I pay them a quarter for each item completed. This has worked well so far and has provided tangible initiative to be extra helpful around the house. I would like to stick with this system.
However, they are also getting to ages where they want to use their own money for more and more stuff. Dh and I are fine with this because of the responsibility, ownership, money skills it teaches them. The problem is that some of the items they're wanting to purchase are more expensive and would take a really long time to earn the money with my quarter-a-day system. They currently can earn only $1.50 per week, so you can see how it would take almost a year to save up for an iPod if they're not either given a raise or given other opportunities to earn money.
I think $1.50 per week is pretty cheap, too cheap actually. I don't mind doubling their pay, but still, $3.00 per week isn't much better. Wondering if any of you have jobs for which you pay your children extra? If ds was old enough to mow the yard, I feel sure we would pay him $10-$15 dollars for each mowing. But, then mowing is also something we'd expect regardless of whether he's being paid or not. So I guess I just don't know what jobs qualify for payment and what jobs don't.
So, 2 questions:
1. What jobs qualify for payment, and how much? (in your opinions)
2. What is an appropriate amount to pay an 8yo and a 7yo for extra tasks completed?
