I separated chores and allowance. I gave allowance for the purpose of learning how to manage money. When a child begs for something in a store say, “That costs $6. If you save your allowance for (?) weeks, you could buy it.” Sometimes, you can offer matching funds: “If you save your allowance for (?) weeks, I will match what you save. Therefore, in (?) weeks, you can buy this for yourself.

Children need to do chores for the right to live in your home. Chores teach children important skills they will need to know when they are out on their own. Children who do not have chores do not feel connected to their family; chores have a far more important value that to have in-home help.  (Remember to teach children HOW to do each chore so the child will experience success rather than failure.)

Copyright (C) Sandy Spurgeon McDaniel, 2000