"Allowances for children sound like welfare to me, as if children are unwilling or unable to achieve, so we have to cover for them. " Dave Ramsey
You see, allowance means that they are "allowed" a certain amount of money for just living & breathing! Think about it. We are guilty of this!
While eating dinner Friday evening, we broke it to the boys (ages 14 & 11) that allowance will be ending & commission will be taking its place!
With a blank stare from the offsprings, we shared our exciting news, and we went on to explain what that means for them financially.
Their new word for the day was "Commission".
We explained that they will have "projects" or "jobs" to do either independently or with the help of their sibling or parent. That "job" will have a dollar amount pinned to it!
For example, I will have to lay a fresh coat of mulch in my flower beds in a few weeks. Instead of me doing it by myself, which I would normally do, that will be a "job" & $10 will be tagged to it. I will assist & work beside them. These jobs will be written on a 3x5 card with the payment written on it. So they can determine which job to do & which job they would rather pass on!
They will learn quickly that Work = Money & No Work = No Money!
Let me make it very clear, they will not be getting commission to wash & fold their laundry, empty the dishwasher, clean their bathroom etc. These are chores that they are required to do because they wear the clothes, they eat and drink from the dishes & they use the bathroom frequently. Therefore, you dirty it, you clean it! This has been in place for years & something they already do!
I know it may sound harsh, but their father & I are raising men that will find their passion in life & make money doing it! They will not be living in my basement at 29, eating my food & not having a job!
When we teach our kids responsibilities & we teach them that if they work they get paid, we are instilling in them a drive to work & at the same time we give them dignity!
Have you ever noticed how a child stands a little taller & they become a little more confident when they take pride in something?
Keeping these conversations alive in the household reminds them that life isn't free. I am excited to see the transition, working for commission & not just expecting a hand over for breathing for an entire week!
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