We needed a change around here. Some of us have been lacking a bit in accomplishing what Mom thinks we need to get done for school work and housework. There has been a major case of the “I don’t wannas.” or the “I’m just not gonnas.” So, late one night, I brainstormed an idea. Quickly and simply, but it worked!! Instead of me telling each kid what he/she was required to do for the day- they got to decided. Then they acculumated pre-determined points; those points were then redeemed for both needs and wants of the day. They turned in points for snacks and meals, their beds, showers, as well as treats, screen time and more – including a trip to the local aquatic center and a movie rental.
My kids woke up the next morning with the surprise of having to complete some duties in order to even have breakfast. It didn’t require much, but not everything was “free” or automatic. Each of my four kids reacted a bit differently, but they were all willing to go along with. We ended up doing this for 3 days. I knew this wasn’t long term, just something to switch it up a bit.
The first day, everyone did they’re chosen activities really well and whatever they had left for points for the day they were able to carry over to the next day. I did, however, notice that the second day instead of stocking up….they would dwindle down their “account” much lower and even wait to see how much work they had to do in order to pay for things. I did warn them, that if they went in the negative…it automatically doubled and they would have to work that much harder to get their account back up and then some in order to “purchase” other things. Fortunately, no one ever went into the negative, but it did allow for some discussions about money, debt, and budgeting in a round about way.
You could get as elaborate as you wanted with this, but I highly suggest setting your kids up for success and let them make the choices they make. Keep the value of the points/math easy, for less stress and appropriate for each age.
Here are some ideas we used and we just kept track of adding and subtracting points on a sheet of paper.
Income/Earning Opportnities
Get ready for the day – 8 points
School Work – each activity – 7 points
Puppy Walker – 15 points
Take garbage out – 4 points
Take recylables out – 4 points
Bedroom:
Clothes clean, folded and put away – 10 points
Zero garbage in bedroom – 5 points
Bedroom organized – 20 points
Vacuum Stairs – 8 points (each set)
Weed – 5 points for every 5 minutes
Dust – 5 points (each set of shelves)
Wash Windows – 10 points
Wipe Down Kitchen Cupboards – 15 points / can be shared with more than one kid
Sweep Kitchen Floor – 10 points
Mop Kitchen Floor – 20 points
Clean off kitchen table – 10 points
Vacuum – 10 points
Vacuum Furniture – 10 points
Clean Up Yard – 10 points
Clean Bathroom- 15 points
Wash, Fold, put away Towels – 15 points
Start diffuser – 4 points
Meal Prep – 8 points
Cooking Help – 10 points
Meal Clean up – 8 points
HUG YOUR MOM – 10 points
Spending/Outgo/Expenses
Dishes/Silverware Rental – 5 points (One time charge for entire day. As long as after dishes/silverware are used, they are washed, dried, and put away.)
Snacks – 5 points
Meals – 10 points each
Beverage (other than water, which was free) – 5 points
Clothing – 10 points per outfit (UNLESS all individual’s clothes are clean, folded, and put away – then free use of all clothes)
Shower/Bath – 10 points
Bedding and Sheets Rental – 10 points for day
Bike – 8 points
TV – 10 points for a half an hour
Computer (other than school work) – 10 points for a half hour
Video Games – 20 points for a half hour
Also charged 10 points for special movie rental and 10 points to go to the aquatic center.
This is the letter my kids woke up to, but you could certainly set this up with their knowlege in advance.
Good Morning Little Munchins!
Welcome to the day. What you are wearing, use of a toothbrush and toothpaste, use of the bathroom (not the shower or tub) are free for you to use. Drinking water is available anytime, but not the cup….??? How do you get the cup and everything you may want or need in day?….You earn it.