Commission Versus Allowance for Kids

Kids need responsibility and ultimately they generally appreciate having responsibilities since it helps shape their self-worth and their identity within a family unit. When my boys were younger, I would give them simple jobs to help clean up around the house, generally things they needed to get in the habit of doing, such as making their bed and picking up their toys.

As a mom with young children, I started feeling burdened by continuously picking up after them when it came to other chores around the house, which started becoming part of everyday responsibilities as well. Items included taking their plates to the sink and rinsing them off, even putting them in the dishwasher if it was empty. They started helping sort clothes and other items that helped take off some of the burden and items that they really should have started learning how to complete.

When they were younger they received stickers for items that they completed and items would equal some form of reward or money. I liked that they started to understand the value of working towards a goal, so I never gave them a specific amount of allowance per week, but give them commissions or money for each specific chore. Now that they are older, the money is more valuable to them, so we stick with specific amounts of money per chores. Helping with lawn work is worth more than sweeping the kitchen floor. By acknowledging how much money they want to save up for an item, they can determine how many chores need to be done to complete their goal.

For my family, this system works well. The chores are done around the house, the boys mark off what was completed based on the value '" we use a tally system- and then we cash in throughout the month.

While I hadn't put much thought into utilizing this system versus providing an allowance, it sort of fell into place. I received an allowance in my family growing up per week, but now enjoy being able to put value towards the work that I do. If I get paid hourly, I like to determine how much money I make in a specific amount of time. The explanation of spending money on specific wants with my children generally comes down to time and affordability. I'll use pie as an example. A pre-made pie at a local bakery might cost $8.00, which can be given an allotment of time working for pay. Or, I can make a pie myself for a fraction of the cost, and worked less for the same pie.

By providing commissions the boys know how much work they need to accomplish to purchase something, or how much more work they need to earn enough money to purchase something. This determines for them if purchasing the item that they want is worth the work in the long run. A lot of times they walk away, the item not deeming the value of their hard work.