Welcome to "Hey Mom and Dad"—a weekly feature in which we ask our Facebook fans to share their views on parenting. Every week, we get the conversation started by taking a look back at a question we asked parents the week before on Patch Facebook pages from around the area.
Many parents assign their children certain chores or other duties around the house in exchange for a regular allowance as a good way to instill work ethic and responsibility. But the range of money paid and work performed can vary significantly from house to house. That brings us to this week's question:
Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.
Maria Power: No, they are expected to be responsible for normal household care, like cleaning their room, doing dishes, and helping with laundry. Items that are above and beyond, mowing the lawn, gardening, etc., we pay them for as we might pay someone else to do. This way they learn responsibility and the value of their work. —on Palos Patch Facebook
Mia Novoa: I do the same Maria. I also feel like this will teach my son to help others without expecting something in return. Plus, he gets toys and other things he wants on a regular basis and extra fun things for good behavior and he knows that. —on Palos Patch Facebook
Crystal Hosp: I'm lucky to get her to shower kids are lazy yet want everything handed to them. It's a fight everyday! —on Oak Lawn Patch Facebook
Dave Weinert: When he gets one, in a year or two, it will be for keeping his room clean, putting the toys away when he is done with them, staying responsible for having his homework done, feeding the dog, letting him (the dog) out when asked, and general good behavior and manners with adults and other kids. —on Oak Lawn Patch Facebook
Shannon Warbiany Donato: $5 every Friday for keeping their room clean, helping with dinner dishes and putting away their clothes. It has worked since I started it and I don't have to worry about messy rooms anymore when we want to have a fun weekend. And the kids think they are rich when they save it!!! —on Oak Lawn Patch Facebook
Tina Wyatt: I don't pay my kid to do chores he does them because he is expected to live and act like a member of the family. He gets money for things he needs and if I have extra he gets extra money sometimes. He saves money and he understands how to spend responsibly. —on Frankfort Patch Facebook
Michelle McCormick: My kids earn based on the chore, I made clothes pins with each chore and what's it's worth. The ones that need to be done that day are clipped to a board. They pick and choose. But I had to add pictures of the toys that they wanted to work towards to excite them. They are 2 1/2 and 4. —on Orland Park Patch Facebook
Violet Assaf: I make a chore chart for my 8 and 7 year old. For each day that they complete their chores, I put a sticker on the chart. At the end of the week , they have a choice of taking $10 each or they get to go to the store and pick out whatever they want.Their chorse include, taking out the garbage, cleaning up their toys and putting it away when they are done playing with it, putting their plates/cups in the sink, hanging up their clothes, making their beds everyday etc. It works very well because they know they will get rewarded. I also include good behavior too! —on Orland Park Patch Facebook
So what's your take? Tell us in the comments.
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