Mom's Cash Incentive Plan

Mom's Cash Incentive Plan

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Guest blogger Role Mommy shares her latest scheme to raise self-sufficient kids.

In my haste to teach my children to be more independent, I decided to go green. But my green has nothing to do with saving the environment - it's the green that'll get a kid to get dressed and brush their teeth without me having to nag them 100 times to get ready for school.

So this week, while I was in the bathroom racing against the clock to slap on some make-up and hot iron my hair, a light bulb went off in my head. What if I waved a five spot in front of my daughter and got her to do my job that morning?

Within minutes of offering her the cash, Rebecca literally jumped out of my bed, slipped on her jeans and favorite t-shirt, woke her brother, helped him put on his clothes and was downstairs and making her own breakfast. The morning sailed by, and while I only had $3 in my purse, I presented her with an I.O.U., and we all started the day with smiles on our faces.

But then, something happened with my cash incentive plan that I didn't quite expect. My kindergartener got into the act. This morning, he woke up without me having to shout his name 10 times, selected a pair of sweatpants, put on a long sleeve shirt and a pair of beige socks, and then proceeded to call me into his room to ask for his compensation. But he didn't want $5, his fee increased to $10!

Should I be proud that I'm already raising two entrepreneurial prospects for The Apprentice or is this latest parenting method destined to backfire?

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4 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

It seems like a good idea at first, but it looks like it may have its downfalls. We’ve all been there.

- Janis

Posted 04/12/08 05:22 PM

If it works than great…but I don’t think kids should be getting paid to do basic things for themselves…plus it will get pretty expensive!

- Kasi

Posted 04/12/08 10:15 PM

I don’t think that there is anything wrong with paying children an allowance for doing chores around the house, but I think that basic daily tasks like dressing and getting ready in the morning should not warrant a reward. I also think that giving a child an allowance “just because” is absurd. At least you have a reason for giving your kids money, but really… Children need to learn that they need to be up and ready on time in the morning, and that it is a basic human task - not one that should require an incentive. In their adult lives, they will never be patted on the back for being on time and ready for something - it’s just expected of them.

- Kate

Posted 04/13/08 09:06 PM

Well, i think kids are to be responsable of doing the basic things, like getting dress, combing hair, and if old enough do their own breakfast. and not get any more money for it.

- maravi

Posted 04/02/09 09:05 PM