Chores & Pocket Money Parenting

As parents, it’s important to teach children to gradually take on more responsibility and grow into adults who can take care of their own basic needs. Completing household chores can be the first step in this journey.

But how do you encourage children who are reluctant to lend a hand? Here are some useful tips to help get your child on board.

Start Early

When it comes to chores, toddlers are often very keen as they like to copy and mimic your behaviour. Take advantage of this stage whilst it lasts! Remember, any chore requires training. Do a chore with your child, then, once they are confident, encourage them to do it alone. Praise the effort and next time show your child how to improve.

Child Friendly Equipment

Child-sized household equipment will help encourage little ones to pitch in. Items such as small brooms, dust pans or watering cans will go a long way to making your child feel helpful.

Plenty of Praise

Praise liberally and before they’ve finished the chore. You want to build positive momentum, especially with young children.

Be Specific

You need to be very clear with your child about what you expect. Rather than say “tidy your room,” be explicit and say: “Put your toys in the toy box.”

Add Some Fun

Change things up every so often, adding chores as children get older. For younger kids, add music or make chores part of a game.

Pocket Money for Chores

There are differing opinions about paying children for chores. For some parents the idea of earning all your money sends a good message. Others think children should help out because they are part of the family. Some parents give a regular amount of weekly pocket money but allow their children to earn extra by doing chores.

Whatever view you take, as children get older and the novelty wears off, you may find it more difficult to motivate them without a reward. As it’s a parent’s job to teach children the value of money, it makes a lot of sense to link their pocket money to at least some of their chores to show them it has to be ‘earned.’

How Much?

Pocket money surveys are rarely consistent on a ‘going rate’ for children’s pocket money. Amounts vary significantly depending on the age of child and where you live. The Money Advice Service advises that what matters more is that children learn how to value and manage their own money. You may also be already giving your child money to spend, so you won’t be any worse off setting a regular amount and making sure they understand that they are responsible for the ‘one off’ things you have been paying for.

At What Age?

Many parents start when their child is around 4 or 5 years old, while others wait until they’re older. As a rule of thumb, if your child understands you need money to buy things, they are probably ready to start managing pocket money.

Age Appropriate Chores

Not all chores are suitable for all ages and as children get older, the types of chores they can handle will inevitably change. In general, preschoolers can handle one or two simple one-step or two-step jobs. Older children can manage more. Keep in mind they can probably do more than you think. If they are mastering a complicated computer game, they can easily turn on the dishwasher!

Age 2 to 3

• Pick up toys/books

• Choose clothes to wear

• Put dirty clothes in basket

• Put shoes away

Age 4 to 5

• Make their bed -pull up duvet and arrange pillows

• Water flowers

• Feed pets

• Take utensils out of dishwasher and put away

Age 6 to 8

• Set and clear table

• Keep bedroom tidy

• Sweep the floor

• Make their bed neatly

Age 9 to 10

• Dust furniture

• Hang/fold clean clothes

• Put groceries away

Age 10 to 12

• Vacuum carpets

• Wash car

• Fold laundry

• Unload dishwasher

For more info: www.growingkids.co.uk & www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk