Summer, Week Three was all about chores.
They are doing a great job getting in the rhythm of adding a few more chores to their weeks. It is amazing what a few extra helping hands does for my sanity.
In addition to their laundry, the trash and their bathroom, they are now completely in charge of emptying the dishwasher. It takes them all of about four minutes but it is such a huge blessing for me.
This week we are concentrating on their giving and savings jars.
We sat down and talked about the three categories of money we expect them to have.
Each week, they receive commission if they complete their chores from the week before. They don’t receive allowance. They are not “allowed” to receive any money unless it is their birthday or similar occasion. Around these parts, they receive a commission for the work they have completed. I know – semantics – but it helps us explain our expectations to them.
The first jar is their giving jar – 10%.
The second jar is their savings jar – 10%.
They use their wallet for their spending money – 80%.
They can do anything they like with the spending money – they can even put it into another jar if they want to. It is completely up to them. Right now they are both stashing money for our annual Grandma Camp.  They are hoping for a trip to Double Dave’s Pizza.
The kids asked to make their giving and savings jars, so we pulled out some spaghetti jars out of my stash and let them go to town with their paint.
This is one of those crafts that I let them have complete control over. I didn’t suggest colors, amounts of paint or anything.
It is so relaxing to sit at the kitchen table and just watch them create. (Well, you know, after I cover the entire table in foil and make sure that they don’t have their favorite t-shirt on.)
They asked questions about what daddy and I save for and what daddy and I give to. Great questions and meaningful conversations.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. –Â Proverbs 22:6
It is one of the few moments in my day when time flies by. I look up and an hour has passed and it is time to start making dinner once again.
I hope you are having a wonderful summer!
Kate
I never thought there could be a better hearted person than you ….. But I do think you are training 3 more! Such a great Mom. Love you!
So beautiful. My parents taught us this concept as kids (though I have to say I struggle with it as an adult) Thank you for the reminder of that. I needed it this month. I love that you let the kids decide what to do with the spend money. My dad always said (even from the pulpit) that it’s important to make sure in your budget you have room for ice cream money. 🙂