Should Kids Expect to Receive An Allowance?

Allowance is a tough question that all parents eventually face. Should you pay your kids for doing their chores or is it just expected that they help out around the house? Patch moms seem to listen to experts like Dr. Spock, who once said that parents should not tie doing chores to giving a child an allowance, but that an allowance should be given just so they can practice handling their own money.

Wendy: We don’t give our kids an allowance. We asked them if they would rather have an allowance or if when they wanted something (within reason) we would buy it for them. If they want something, they have to work for it. A few weeks ago my son wanted a computer game so he mowed the yard. You can tell when he wants something because he will ask for things to do around the house.

Michelle: I don't really pay Jordan an allowance. He should do jobs around the house because that is what he should do. If I ask him to do something bigger than usual I may buy him something but not really pay him. It's part of being responsible.

Emily: I got my parenting inspiration from many sources but on this particular question, I am reminded of my dad and Dr. Benjamin Spock’s Baby and Child Care book in particular. Allowance is something that comes at a certain age, with no strings attached, for our family. If they want extra, then we can have the conversation of working for and managing more money. So, allowance is not something to be earned with us, but many families do it that way and it seems to work as well.

Denise: Personally I'm terrible about allowance. My oldest kid will ask for one, we'll do it for a while, then he'll stop doing extra chores and I stop paying him. My parents had the same problem, but I was expected to do certain things around the house and in exchange they always kept me in paperback novels.

After Ryan turned 12, I started offering him allowance in exchange for his babysitting services. I figure watching his little brother while I run errands (or take a nap) is above and beyond the normal duties of a big brother. It’s certainly a chore worthy of extra payment!