A few months ago I started paying the kids in REAL money every week (instead of Mommy Bucks) so they could pick out things from the store themselves. I also wanted to start teaching them about giving and saving.
Every Sunday, as long as they've done their chores that week, Aaron gets $2 in quarters and Claire gets $1 in dimes. They each put one coin in a "give" bank, one coin in a "save" bank, and the rest of their coins in their "spend" bank. Once they have a few coins in their give bank we put it in an offering envelope and take it to church.
The first time Aaron got up to $6 he was at Walmart and decided to spent his money on a little cherry-picker truck. They had a garbage truck for the same price, but he really liked the bucket arm so he decided to get the cherry picker first and save his money again for the garbage truck.
A couple of weeks later he had an itching to spend some money, so I let him go to Dollar Tree. He did such a great job picking out only 2 things (even though he had enough money to buy 3 or 4 things!). The cashier was so impressed when he counted out his money all by himself. He knows that 4 quarters is $1 and 1 quarter is 25 cents, so he was able to figure out $2.14 pretty easily! He couldn't understand at first why she gave him money back, but he took it!
This past Sunday he had finally gotten up to $6.50 in his spend bank so I took him to Walmart to get that garbage truck. Unfortuntely, it wasn't there! He was disappointed, but started looking for something else to buy. I felt bad for him, having to learn at such a young age that you can hardly buy anything in the toy department with just $6.50! Claire only had $1 that day so she was waiting to go to Dollar Tree, and Aaron decided he would wait for Dollar Tree too.
So off to Dollar Tree we went, and Aaron picked out 3 toys (an FBI playset, a yo-yo ball, and a foam airplane shooter thingy). Claire knew she could only get one thing, so she immediately picked a princess tiara and carried it around the store. She just knew that was what she wanted, until we got to the baby dolls. She really wanted a little pink baby, so she said she changed her mind and wanted to put the tiara back.
Then we had a really sweet moment. Aaron said, "Claire, I have enough money to buy that crown for you! I will check it out and buy it for you."
So very sweet--it melted my heart! Aaron got to the checkout with his 3 items plus Claire's crown, and he did a great job counting out $4.28. (I gave him 3 extra pennies!) The lady behind us in line thought he was the sweetest little thing and didn't seem to mind waiting for him to count it all out. Claire checked out her little pink baby doll, helping me count to 11 as we counted out her dimes.
These are the sweetest kids!!!
Showing posts with label chores. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chores. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Fostering Independence
Aaron and Claire are definitely growing up. We've been finding ways to foster independence in them, to help them learn responsibility and to help us out since we've got three kids now. Really we're focusing on Aaron...but since Claire wants to do everything her big brother does, she is learning to do things for herself, too.
Both of them have chores they do every day to earn stickers on a chart, and they are paid a small allowance at the end of the week if they get enough stickers (right now it's 21 for Aaron and 14 for Claire). We're starting to teach them to put 10% in a give bank, 10% in a save bank, and the other 80% in a spend bank. (I made the banks out of Crystal Light containers...they turned out cute!) Aaron can hardly wait to get up to $5 in his spend bank so he can buy a new Lego set at Target.
Aaron does chores like taking out the trash in the two small trash cans (his favorite job!), putting away the silverware out of the dishwasher, stripping the sheets off his bed when I need to wash them, setting the table and clearing his place afterwards. Claire helps with the silverware and setting the table. She's actually better at clearing her place than Aaron is, but I think it's because she doesn't make as big of a mess when she eats! They also both put away their own laundry, and I let them help me put away the groceries. They fight over who gets to stack up the yogurts in the fridge!! I know they won't always be so eager to help...so I'm living it up now.
We've also been teaching Aaron how to bathe himself. We supervise while he washes his own hair and body. Claire has also learned how to wash her own body (but I'm not letting her wash her own hair yet--she has too much of it and I want to make sure it gets good and clean). This makes it possible for me to bathe Hannah at the same time, in her little baby tub.
They also both know how to put in their own videos, and Aaron knows how to change the input on the TV and navigate the menus to get to the right episode. He can also get on the computer and get to the game he wants to play (we have them bookmarked for him) all by himself. It blows my mind what kids these days know how to do with technology!!!
I'm amazed to see these little ways the kids are growing up. That's what parenting all about I guess--training them to eventually live on their own one day, as a productive member of society. Chris and I have been discussing lately that we also want to make sure we do some intentional things in our parenting to make sure the kids are glorifying God in their skills, character, and actions. I'm praying we can be the example we need to be to raise Godly children! I fall short every day, so I am so thankful for God's grace!
Both of them have chores they do every day to earn stickers on a chart, and they are paid a small allowance at the end of the week if they get enough stickers (right now it's 21 for Aaron and 14 for Claire). We're starting to teach them to put 10% in a give bank, 10% in a save bank, and the other 80% in a spend bank. (I made the banks out of Crystal Light containers...they turned out cute!) Aaron can hardly wait to get up to $5 in his spend bank so he can buy a new Lego set at Target.
Aaron does chores like taking out the trash in the two small trash cans (his favorite job!), putting away the silverware out of the dishwasher, stripping the sheets off his bed when I need to wash them, setting the table and clearing his place afterwards. Claire helps with the silverware and setting the table. She's actually better at clearing her place than Aaron is, but I think it's because she doesn't make as big of a mess when she eats! They also both put away their own laundry, and I let them help me put away the groceries. They fight over who gets to stack up the yogurts in the fridge!! I know they won't always be so eager to help...so I'm living it up now.
We've also been teaching Aaron how to bathe himself. We supervise while he washes his own hair and body. Claire has also learned how to wash her own body (but I'm not letting her wash her own hair yet--she has too much of it and I want to make sure it gets good and clean). This makes it possible for me to bathe Hannah at the same time, in her little baby tub.
They also both know how to put in their own videos, and Aaron knows how to change the input on the TV and navigate the menus to get to the right episode. He can also get on the computer and get to the game he wants to play (we have them bookmarked for him) all by himself. It blows my mind what kids these days know how to do with technology!!!
I'm amazed to see these little ways the kids are growing up. That's what parenting all about I guess--training them to eventually live on their own one day, as a productive member of society. Chris and I have been discussing lately that we also want to make sure we do some intentional things in our parenting to make sure the kids are glorifying God in their skills, character, and actions. I'm praying we can be the example we need to be to raise Godly children! I fall short every day, so I am so thankful for God's grace!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Chore chart success!
Aaron has had a busy week! He's been putting away laundry, helping unload the dishwasher, setting the table and clearing it, and even dusting with socks on his hands. He earned $4 in Mommy Bucks which he got to spend in the chore store tonight.
The chore store was a collection of Dollar Tree items all priced according to how badly I thought he would want them. The foam dinosaur toys were $3, the jars of playdough were $1 each, a spiky ball was $2, etc. I also printed a picture of this Lego recycling truck and priced it at $15 so he would have something bigger to save for. For several minutes I thought he was going to buy one jar of playdough and save the other $3, because he really liked the Lego truck. In the end though, he bought the foam dinosaurs and one playdough. He said he wanted to start with NO dollars and then earn $15. Shopping in the chore store was a great math lesson!
I also added a way for him to earn bonus points. If he does a helpful task not in his chore pocket that day, or if he does something he knows he is supposed to do without me asking him to (like buckling into his car seat or clearing the table on his own), then he gets a sticker. Five stickers will earn him an extra Mommy Buck.
He really seems to like the concept--every morning he is so excited to go see what chores are on his chore chart that day. He even likes to add some that I didn't put in there!! I'm hoping that gradually he will get better about doing his chores without grumbling (yeah right!). Today he didn't earn his dollar because he whined about putting away the silverware and didn't do it, so that was a hard lesson learned. He has many more to learn!!
The chore store was a collection of Dollar Tree items all priced according to how badly I thought he would want them. The foam dinosaur toys were $3, the jars of playdough were $1 each, a spiky ball was $2, etc. I also printed a picture of this Lego recycling truck and priced it at $15 so he would have something bigger to save for. For several minutes I thought he was going to buy one jar of playdough and save the other $3, because he really liked the Lego truck. In the end though, he bought the foam dinosaurs and one playdough. He said he wanted to start with NO dollars and then earn $15. Shopping in the chore store was a great math lesson!
I also added a way for him to earn bonus points. If he does a helpful task not in his chore pocket that day, or if he does something he knows he is supposed to do without me asking him to (like buckling into his car seat or clearing the table on his own), then he gets a sticker. Five stickers will earn him an extra Mommy Buck.
He really seems to like the concept--every morning he is so excited to go see what chores are on his chore chart that day. He even likes to add some that I didn't put in there!! I'm hoping that gradually he will get better about doing his chores without grumbling (yeah right!). Today he didn't earn his dollar because he whined about putting away the silverware and didn't do it, so that was a hard lesson learned. He has many more to learn!!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Our Chore Charts
Today has been just glorious. Well, as glorious as it can get staying home with the kiddos.
I spent most of the morning in my jammies working on crafty stuff! I never do that, and it was great. Except for the frustration when the kids would get all into everything, but I dealt with it. It will still great to have all my crafty stuff out and pretend the floors don't need to be mopped.
I finally came up with a plan for the chore charts. They are so pretty!
Every morning I will put 3-4 cards in the bottom triangle pocket of their charts. As they complete the chores, they will put the cards in the pockets, which are just strips of paper glued on 3 sides.
If they complete all the chores for the day, they get a dollar! If they give me lots of problems (ie excessive whining, refusal to cooperate), they have to give me a dollar back. We're going to start small so Aaron will catch on to the concept and be able to earn alot of dollars this first week. Claire has a chart just so she feels like she gets to participate, but I don't think she'll "get" it.
I did the chore cards using clip-art in Microsoft Word. Aren't they pretty? I printed the play money from this website.
I had so much fun doing the names.
Of course me sitting in the floor with a bunch of markers is what prompted Claire to color with me, and eventually take an open pink marker onto my bed, where she and Aaron wrestled and got pink marker all over my white sheets. (Thank goodness I had not made the bed or it would have been my comforter! See, I know my making-the-bed-laziness would pay off!) The sheets are currently in the wash with bleach but I have doubts the ink will come out. It's permanent for scrapbooking, for heaven's sake!
But I digress...back to the names! I'd really like to do some names like this and somehow make some stationery--I'm thinking little gift cards or notecards. How would I do it though--just scan them? My scanner is pretty hoopty. Any input here would be nice. I think these would make nice gifts and I'm enjoying doing them!
Wish us luck with getting the kids motivated to help around the house!
I spent most of the morning in my jammies working on crafty stuff! I never do that, and it was great. Except for the frustration when the kids would get all into everything, but I dealt with it. It will still great to have all my crafty stuff out and pretend the floors don't need to be mopped.
I finally came up with a plan for the chore charts. They are so pretty!
Every morning I will put 3-4 cards in the bottom triangle pocket of their charts. As they complete the chores, they will put the cards in the pockets, which are just strips of paper glued on 3 sides.
If they complete all the chores for the day, they get a dollar! If they give me lots of problems (ie excessive whining, refusal to cooperate), they have to give me a dollar back. We're going to start small so Aaron will catch on to the concept and be able to earn alot of dollars this first week. Claire has a chart just so she feels like she gets to participate, but I don't think she'll "get" it.
I did the chore cards using clip-art in Microsoft Word. Aren't they pretty? I printed the play money from this website.
I had so much fun doing the names.
Of course me sitting in the floor with a bunch of markers is what prompted Claire to color with me, and eventually take an open pink marker onto my bed, where she and Aaron wrestled and got pink marker all over my white sheets. (Thank goodness I had not made the bed or it would have been my comforter! See, I know my making-the-bed-laziness would pay off!) The sheets are currently in the wash with bleach but I have doubts the ink will come out. It's permanent for scrapbooking, for heaven's sake!
But I digress...back to the names! I'd really like to do some names like this and somehow make some stationery--I'm thinking little gift cards or notecards. How would I do it though--just scan them? My scanner is pretty hoopty. Any input here would be nice. I think these would make nice gifts and I'm enjoying doing them!
Wish us luck with getting the kids motivated to help around the house!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Help with chore charts
I need your help!
I'm looking for ways to get Aaron more involved in helping around the house, not for the help (heaven knows it takes longer to do something with a 4 year old!), but to teach him responsiblity. I'd also like to start an allowance system to teach him about money and saving.
I'm having trouble figuring out how to implement it.
I read on The Pioneer Woman blog about a system she uses called "Choreorganizers." It seems like a neat concept and I'm trying to figure out how to implement it without purchasing the product! Basically it has a chore chart with each day having new chore cards you have to complete to earn a Mommy Buck, which you can redeem (or save) at the end of the week at the Chore Store (which I would stock with a variety of items from candy to larger toys he would have to save for).
Here's what I can't figure out.
Are the chores optional? Like if Aaron just decides his chores are too hard one day, he just doesn't want to earn a Mommy buck so he doesn't do anything? How do I handle that? I can totally hear him saying, "Nah, I just don't want a Mommy buck today." Then would come the screaming from me (I'm not proud!), "You better do your chores or ELSE!" And what does that accomplish? I don't want to spend the day negotiating with him.
Oh, and I think the chores will be:
*Help set the table.
*Put away laundry.
*Clean up toys (this one is huge!)
*Help put away groceries.
I'm trying to think of more, to give him more opportunities to take on responsibility. I thought of "make your bed" and "dust" but these are things I rarely do (again, not proud!) so I can't see myself enforcing those.
I also need to figure out ways to get Claire involved, because she doesn't realize she's only two, and she thinks she has to do EVERYTHING her brother does. Except when it involves work, usually. We have trouble getting her to help clean up. Imagine that.
So do you think the Choreorganizer system is a good one? Do you have a better idea? If you're a mom out there, please let me know what has worked for you!
I'm looking for ways to get Aaron more involved in helping around the house, not for the help (heaven knows it takes longer to do something with a 4 year old!), but to teach him responsiblity. I'd also like to start an allowance system to teach him about money and saving.
I'm having trouble figuring out how to implement it.
I read on The Pioneer Woman blog about a system she uses called "Choreorganizers." It seems like a neat concept and I'm trying to figure out how to implement it without purchasing the product! Basically it has a chore chart with each day having new chore cards you have to complete to earn a Mommy Buck, which you can redeem (or save) at the end of the week at the Chore Store (which I would stock with a variety of items from candy to larger toys he would have to save for).
Here's what I can't figure out.
Are the chores optional? Like if Aaron just decides his chores are too hard one day, he just doesn't want to earn a Mommy buck so he doesn't do anything? How do I handle that? I can totally hear him saying, "Nah, I just don't want a Mommy buck today." Then would come the screaming from me (I'm not proud!), "You better do your chores or ELSE!" And what does that accomplish? I don't want to spend the day negotiating with him.
Oh, and I think the chores will be:
*Help set the table.
*Put away laundry.
*Clean up toys (this one is huge!)
*Help put away groceries.
I'm trying to think of more, to give him more opportunities to take on responsibility. I thought of "make your bed" and "dust" but these are things I rarely do (again, not proud!) so I can't see myself enforcing those.
I also need to figure out ways to get Claire involved, because she doesn't realize she's only two, and she thinks she has to do EVERYTHING her brother does. Except when it involves work, usually. We have trouble getting her to help clean up. Imagine that.
So do you think the Choreorganizer system is a good one? Do you have a better idea? If you're a mom out there, please let me know what has worked for you!
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