Chore “Time Cards”
I’m always on the lookout for ways to teach my children real-world skills. So when my kids recently decided they wanted their allowance even when they didn’t complete their chores, I decided I would gently introduce them to the real-world concept of a time card and wages. Only our time card would track chores, not time.
No longer would the kids receive an allowance simply for existing. They would be required to complete chores, each of which would have a specific value attached to it. They’d record the completion of each chore on a simple time card which I made up for each child. (If you’d like to download a chore time card to print, click here for a pdf file with two time cards per page.)
On the chore time cards, I listed the chores that they were required to do, as well as some chores that they had the option to do if they wanted to earn even more money. I gave each chore a rate of pay, usually between 10 and 25 cents, depending on the complexity of the chore. Here are some of the chores I listed on our time cards:
- take out the trash (.05)
- empty/load the dishwasher (.15)
- vacuum the living room (.15)
- sweep the kitchen (.15)
- straighten bedroom at bedtime (.15)
- fold & put away laundry (.25)
- deep-clean the bathroom (.25)
To make sure that the kids actually complete the chores they claim to have done, at the end of each day they have to bring their card to either my husband or myself to initial (our initials go in the “Supervisor Signature” box on the card). If they neglect to get their card signed on a particular day, they don’t earn anything for that day’s chores. This prevents the kids from marking chores as completed, such as having their room straight at bedtime, when the chores aren’t really completed satisfactorily.
Another feature we added to the card was the FINE, with the value of 5 cents per offense. The kids can be fined for misbehavior, bickering, or anything else we deemed appropriate. This gives us another avenue of discipline, and we have noticed that it has helped a lot.
On payday, the kids (at least my older ones), figure their earnings on their own. Of course, we double check their math, but having them figure their “wages” on their own has been a great way for them to practice some real-world math skills. Not only that, but the kids have been able to see how 15 or 30 cents a day can really add up to a lot.
We’ve been using our chore time cards for several weeks now, and the kids seem to be doing well with them. And I sure like the fact that they are completing their chores without complaining, even if that means I have to pay them more in allowance at the end of each week. I think it’s well worth it.
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Great idea! I will have to remember this for if our current method ever fails! I know that as my kiddos get older, I will need a new game plan!
I participated for the first time, and hope that I did it right! Thanks!
this is a great idea… we are struggling with this too!
Mmmm what a great idea! My kids are starting to really participate in chores and this would be a great way to encourage them to keep up the good work, and to help them to keep their behaviors in check. Thanks for idea and the link!
-Melanie
(PS - thanks for checking out my blog! Mind if I link you from mine???)
Excellent idea! It’s never too early to learn the valuable lesson of time (chores) is money. Well done.
I have to chime in in the chore topic. I also developed a family chore system for my family and organizing clients (I’m a Professional Organizer). It worked so well that I wrote a how-to workbook and developed our tool into a chore binder. The system titled, Mom, Can I Help Around the House, is now available to the general public. Families as far as Australia now have my system and it is truely making a difference in families everywhere. It true home transformation and a change in how you view getting things done around the house, and the role everyone plays in home maintenance. My philosophy is based on the parable “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and he can feed himself for life”. Our kids NEED to learn these skills from us - we’re their first and most consistent teachers throughout their lives!
Learn more @ http://www.KidsandChores.net
Janet
The Organizing Genie
janet@kidsandchores.net
We were going to pay $.11 a minute for chores. We are going to try this method, because it is self explanatory, and gives our middle school daughter a certain amount per chore. We pay her allowance weekly, but we don’t see her doing little things she could do. And based upon her amount given, she receives too much. We want her to get used to earning her money, not feeling she is “entitled” to it.