Kids and Allowance

Q: When should my child begin to receive allowance?

A: Your child should be old enough for money to be meaningful.  They should be aware that the items they want cost money and that you must have enough to purchase it.  They should also have a knowledge of the coins and some basic counting skills.  This is often about age 5.

After the decision to make give an allowance there are a variety of choices.  How much?  Do I tie it to chores?  What do I expect that they will buy.  Many of these choices will be personal to your family.  If the purpose is for them to save up for the toys that they want by budgeting each week a small amount is fine.  It may be that they complete assigned chores each week and earn a predetermined amount based on the completion.

A: What chores can I expect my child to complete?

B: This depends upon the age of the child.

3-5: Tasks that focus on self care- dressing self, picking up toys, helping to clear the table, and helping or imitating with other tasks.

6-8: Establishing routines of self care and expanding out to help the family. Clearing and/or setting the table, emptying garbage, putting away clean clothes, pulling weeds and feeding pets

9-11: Increasing self management and skill level of chores- simple food prep, washing the car, sorting laundry, simple yard work, exercising and grooming pets

12-16: Skills for independent living and shared responsibility- cook meals, do laundry, perform repairs to house and car, heavy yard work