New System

Around here, the time had come for a new system...something simple, yet effective. Each of our kids has had a Mon-Fri daily job in writing on his/her bedroom door for several months. However, we've never given an allowance, but rather just agreed sharing the load was part of sharing a home. Recently, Reagan's play therapist suggested a small weekly allowance to help Reagan have some income and be able to think through saving, giving and spending, as well as better understand the value of various items. No way one child in the family could earn an allowance and the other not, so we began to brainstorm a way to implement this for both kiddos. Our initial thought was to keep the 5 jobs already assigned each child and pay 50 cents per job, each child earning $2.50 a week. Helping Reagan seemed well worth $5/week sacrifice.
After deeper thought, however, we discussed how motivating money can be, and we decided to raise the bar a little, as well as get other expectations in one clear visual format. We had been discussing having a jar where Alex would have to pay for being disrespectful, but we wanted to reward appropriate behavior rather than punish and focus on the negative, as well as be fair to both kids. Final decision amongst adults gives each child a fair chance to earn up to $2.65/week, but they won't always. Daily jobs must be completed without reminder and the whole chart must be done as working for The Lord, as the verse on the chart reminds. Attitude is everything and sometimes our choices cost us something. The kids are really excited about the earning potential, as well as the saving, giving and spending jars. Here's to positive discipline and personal responsibilities! May God be pleased with and bless our desire to love and obey Him and teach our kids to do the same and may this all be an act of worship in our home!