The idea of paying my kids to make their beds or put their dishes in the sink might seem like a clever motivational trick, but let’s be honest — it’s bribery masquerading as a life lesson. Worse, it sets them up to believe that the most basic acts of responsibility deserve financial compensation. Spoiler alert: No one is Venmo-ing me for brushing my teeth as an adult. If they are, please share your secret, because I’ve clearly been doing life wrong.
READ: We’re Not Paying an Allowance!
For years, we tried every type of chore chart — laminated, velcro, neon, stickers — but it always led to nagging, unfinished tasks, and me doing the work anyway. Come Friday, I’d either hand over $5 or forget entirely, only to cave when they wanted a new toy, with no clue how much they had. After countless failures, we finally found a “chore chart” system that works for us. Our “Work for Hire” board lists tasks with cash values, tracked using “bonus bucks.” On “Pay Day,” they total their earnings, log them in their ledger, and I update their Greenlight accounts. Game changer!
I Let My Kids Choose Profitable Chores
Rather than nickel-and-diming them for routine expectations, I offer payment for tasks that actually benefit the household — pulling weeds, organizing the pantry, sweeping the kitchen, or washing the car. In our home, we have a “Work for Hire” board full of options based on things I actually need done from week to week. There’s a wide range of chores suitable for different ages, with cash values that make sense for our family (and the quality of work I anticipate from the 6-year-old). They get to take initiative and choose when to work for money, fostering independence, accountability, and an understanding of effort-based rewards. Plus, nothing builds character like cleaning toilets.
Academic, Athletic, and Artistic Success Should Pay Off
If money is going to be an incentive, I figure it should attach to something that truly matters at their age: growth and achievement. Rewarding academic success — great test scores, consistent study habits, or mastering new skills — reinforces that hard work and learning have tangible benefits. The same goes for athletic accomplishments, artistic pursuits, and other passions unique to your kids. We have a chart with established dollar amounts for these types of goals and expectations. Future employers won’t ask them how well they tucked in their sheets, but they will appreciate dedication, problem-solving skills, and persistence.
Leadership and Acts of Kindness Deserve Recognition
More than anything, I want to raise genuinely good human beings — not just little negotiators who expect cash for setting the dinner table. So, I also reward my kids for acts of kindness, leadership, and problem-solving. Helped a younger sibling with homework? Stepped up to take charge of a group project? Volunteered to help a neighbor without being asked? These behaviors get celebrated and sometimes rewarded. We have big bonuses on our chart for “positive-character shoutouts” when we receive unsolicited compliments from teachers, coaches, or friends. These are, by far, my favorite “bonus bucks” to give. Because let’s face it, the world needs more leaders and helpers — not just kids who expect a dollar for carrying their plate to the sink.
Instilling Responsibility Without a Price Tag
Not everything in life needs a cash reward. Basic household chores should be done because they contribute to the family unit, not because there’s a payout at the end. I encourage my kids to take pride in their hygiene and living space and to understand shared responsibilities without expecting a financial transaction. After all, no one is slipping extra cash into my wallet just because I threw my socks in the laundry basket.
So, I’ve officially retired the “chore chart” idea of paying my kids for the bare minimum and instead focus on helping them develop a work ethic that will actually serve them in the long run while benefiting our household week to week. Because no one is out there cutting checks for making their bed — but plenty of people get paid for taking initiative, working hard, and making the world a better place.
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