Chores Update
So far the commissions incentive for jobs is working like a dream. Just a few days in and all is great so far. Until screeeeeeeech, it came to a complete halt tonight after dinner.
Riley did the first four jobs - each one worth 20 cents:
- homework
- reading for fifteen minutes
- practicing piano and doing her writing notebook for fifteen minutes
- getting herself dressed in the morning without our help or freaking out
The last job is a very very simple one. Wipe down the kitchen table. That was it! After dinner, I asked her if she was ready to do her job.
Her response: "Um. It's not worth it."
So there you have it. It's not worth wiping down a table to earn 20 cents.
I asked if she was sure and she was very sure.
Jeremy and I were in the kitchen finishing up. Kind of trying to figure out how to motivate. I suggested that I was going to have her do it anyway as it is her job, but that she wouldn't be paid for it as she had chosen not to do it on her own. (Not sure this is really the best approach, but thought it might make her think and she tends to learn lessons fast and well)
I called her into the kitchen and asked her if she was sure that she didn't want to wipe down the table for pay. She said she was sure. I wet the towel and then told her that a job is a job and we do our job even if we don't feel like it because it is what we are supposed to do. Only this time she wouldn't get paid to wipe down the table; she would just do it for free.
Her response: (while slightly giggling) It's okay, Mom. I'll let you pay me for it.
And off she went to wipe down the table while Jeremy and I were taken aback by her comment. Couldn't help but laugh. Yet also wondering - is this system working? Are we creating kids who will expect to be paid for any little thing they do around the house? Still working through some kinks and figuring out if this is something that will work in the long run. Only praying we're helping our kids and not hurting them! Want to raise grateful, thankful and wise kids. Not demanding, expectant and ungrateful ones.
Riley did the first four jobs - each one worth 20 cents:
- homework
- reading for fifteen minutes
- practicing piano and doing her writing notebook for fifteen minutes
- getting herself dressed in the morning without our help or freaking out
The last job is a very very simple one. Wipe down the kitchen table. That was it! After dinner, I asked her if she was ready to do her job.
Her response: "Um. It's not worth it."
So there you have it. It's not worth wiping down a table to earn 20 cents.
I asked if she was sure and she was very sure.
Jeremy and I were in the kitchen finishing up. Kind of trying to figure out how to motivate. I suggested that I was going to have her do it anyway as it is her job, but that she wouldn't be paid for it as she had chosen not to do it on her own. (Not sure this is really the best approach, but thought it might make her think and she tends to learn lessons fast and well)
I called her into the kitchen and asked her if she was sure that she didn't want to wipe down the table for pay. She said she was sure. I wet the towel and then told her that a job is a job and we do our job even if we don't feel like it because it is what we are supposed to do. Only this time she wouldn't get paid to wipe down the table; she would just do it for free.
Her response: (while slightly giggling) It's okay, Mom. I'll let you pay me for it.
And off she went to wipe down the table while Jeremy and I were taken aback by her comment. Couldn't help but laugh. Yet also wondering - is this system working? Are we creating kids who will expect to be paid for any little thing they do around the house? Still working through some kinks and figuring out if this is something that will work in the long run. Only praying we're helping our kids and not hurting them! Want to raise grateful, thankful and wise kids. Not demanding, expectant and ungrateful ones.
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