A long time ago we introduced tickets when Veg did extra chores or was helpful above and beyond, he got a ticket worth a dollar. Not only did this offer him the ability to learn about money, saving, and spending smart. But also he would Volunteer to "work" and make money for his extra "work".
Well then he decided he should get tickets for exercising and that didn't last very long, because he didn't keep up with his exercise on the calendar, which was part of the agreement.
Now, his grandparents gave him a "chore chart" and "be nice" board... Apparently some parents will check this stuff off, and at the bottom if all are filled in, the kid gets a "reward".... sorry, but I'm not going to give rewards for being "nice" or for clearing your plate from the table and remembering to brush your teeth...
That goes back to my philosophy that we wouldn't be rewarded or paid to do things that we should do anyways.... Those things are Expectations when you live in our home, not things that deserve reward. In my opinion, If you get to a point where you have to reward for being nice, then you didn't set expectations early enough.
I never understood the "do this and I'll give you candy".... Really?
The payment comes in to play when we do something above and beyond... When we Work, and that is what I want my Vegman to learn..... The value of the dollar, and the want to work for it, the feeling that doing more is a good thing. Or having enough is OK too.
Now he says.. "This board says I should get a reward"... I told him that board can say all it wants, but he isn't getting one for being nice... So he starts negotiating tickets.... NOoooooo, Your not getting a ticket for being nice. SORRY!!!
And that is when I realized he is TOOO Old for tickets... But I'm still not prepared to deal with Cash and wallets and money lost, just yet... and so I'm switching to Checkbooks.
It is the "Bank of Mom" and we started today... He deposited his 8 tickets ($8) in to his account. Which we logged the entry in his check book.. He knows where to deposit his future cash, and I taught him how to write a check for withdrawals.
So when he wants to take money out of the "Bank of Mom" to spend at the store or give for donation, he has write me a check and deduct it from his account.
I found these great PDF's online:
We printed a bunch, then put them in a folder. (His Check book) which he is quite thrilled about.
He had so much fun learning about his own checkbook that he asked if we could start today. And so we did....
Now he gets to learn about the value of a dollar, saving, giving, spending smart, working hard when he chooses, Annnnddd, how to write a check, how to balance a checkbook, which is something I didn't learn until I was 18.
Sooo there ya go... A new phase in the Veg house... Out with the Tickets and In with the Checkbook....
Yes, I realize that by the time he is 18, there probably won't be checkbooks, but that's not the point... *smile*
Great idea and I am so happy he is excited about it.
Posted by: NEE NEE | November 22, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Great idea! Our family feels the same way about what is rewarded and what is an expectation of being a part of our family. Glad to know there are others! Can't wait to hear about his progress!
Posted by: Michelle | November 23, 2009 at 03:34 PM
What an awesome idea! You're so smart. :-)
Posted by: NB | November 23, 2009 at 08:43 PM