My boys finished up the school year this week, bursting off the school bus with nothing but a report card in their hands and plans for summer fun in their heads. Bus stop celebrations with noisemakers, balloons, and photo ops went on for some time. Ahhh, summer vacation...I'm so darn happy to have these munchkins home for 3 months!
Each child proudly handed off their report cards and moms and dads ooh'd and ahh'd over grades. Which brings me to this week's topic this Feedback Friday...
Do you offer a monetary reward or incentive for good grades?
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nope.
ReplyDeleteJust lots of praise for a job well done. :) We have been known to go out or to the park for a picnic to celebrate though.
ReplyDeleteWe dont---but then again, they don't get "report cards". As kids, my parents always took us out somewhere fun after school ended. But if $$ motivates your kid to bust their behind for good grades, why not?
ReplyDeleteNo. We actually had this discussion at our house this week. Good grades are an expectation - and they do get lots of praise and high fives but no money. We celebrate a job well done but not with cash.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are not old enough to get "grades" yet. Heh. But even if they are, nope. (Yeah, that's what I say now. Who knows when the time comes?)
ReplyDeleteMy mom gave me a dollar for every 100% I got way back when I was in 2nd grade... but stopped when I was in 3rd grade. When I asked why, she'd told me that I had to want to do well for myself and not just for the money. Never got another cent for good grades, but that one year of incentive probably helped develop some good studying habits, because I'd continued to do very well hence.
First- I love the pic of your son jumping off the bus! Priceless!
ReplyDeleteWe offer no incentives- but I'm not saying that at some point if it becomes necessary that we wouldn't. I have a 3rd grader and 1st grader, so it hasn't been an issue for us yet.
It would probably take a lot for us to get to that point however, since my hubby is big on not being rewarded for stuff you should have done in the first place. We shall see what happens.. ;)
First- I love the pic of your son jumping off the bus! Priceless!
ReplyDeleteWe offer no incentives- but I'm not saying that at some point if it becomes necessary that we wouldn't. I have a 3rd grader and 1st grader, so it hasn't been an issue for us yet.
It would probably take a lot for us to get to that point however, since my hubby is big on not being rewarded for stuff you should have done in the first place. We shall see what happens.. ;)
We don't give money as an incentive but their grandparents give them money for a job well done. I actually think that my kids do much better when they are striving for the grades for themselves rather than the money.
ReplyDeleteNope, but I have a kindergartner. I feel like it's her job to study hard, learn a lot, and do well in school. That being said, as long as she is genuinely doing her best, I would not yell at her for a bad grade. So far she's had a lot of checks and just a few minuses!
ReplyDeleteThis is not an issue for us either yet...but to be honest I don't know what I think. I agree that good grades are the expectation. My sister and I were both good students who never brought home lower then a B...ever. My youngest brother, however, didn't care about school. He hated it and didn't see the point. After exhausting all kinds of options my dad finally made a deal with my brother that he would pay him for good grades and like you flipped a switch my brother became motivated. I work in higher education and I see a ton of students that are really smart that just don't apply themselves. Kids that get 30's on the ACT standardized tests yet have a 2.0 GPA. IF (crossing my fingers this won't be the case) I had a kid that just didn't see the point of school and I could not figure out any way to get him/her motivated then yes I would probably pay for good grades if that is what it took.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are still too young, but I don't think we'll go that route. Maybe a fun incentive like going for ice cream or renting a cool movie or something....
ReplyDeleteAs of now ~ nope. The kids know that good grades are expected and school is number one. This is why homework is done as soon as they get home from school before anything else (ok ok, they HAVE to wash their hands first). Who knows what will happen in the future though ~ our oldest loves school and prides herself on good grades. However, our son ~ who after today will be a 1st grader... not so much! So as much as I would like to say no and will do what I can not to pay out for grades, I will do what it takes (lets be reasonable, no trips to Disney or anything) to light the fire under his little behind! What about you?
ReplyDeleteI doubt we will do this. My daughter will go to Kindergarten next year.
ReplyDeleteMy parents never promised anything, but did once in a while surprise me with something nice for a good report card. But nothing was ever expected. I suspect we'll take the same route.
But I know a few parents that would argue that this is the best idea since sliced bread. And I've seen a few over the years make deals with their kids in advance (i.e. you get a TV if you get an "A"). But I would think that leans towards bribing your child.
We haven't yet, but my daughter just finished 2nd grade. She really had a hard time with her multiplication tables at the end of the year, and we're going to entice her to study over the summer with Chuck E Cheese tokens for every time she goes through her math facts. Sure, it might be considered bribery, but as long as she learns, then I'm good :)
ReplyDeleteI TOTALLY disagree with the idea of giving money for grades. In my opinion, it sends the wrong message. You're basically telling your children that gaining knowledge is not inherently rewarding, and therefore they should have to be paid in order to have a desire to better themselves intellectually.
ReplyDeleteMy family placed a very high value on education when I was growing up, but they never gave me money for making good grades (I did, however, receive plenty of praise and recognition for doing well). But I still made good grades, and it was because I WANTED to. I believe that practice instilled in me a lifelong love of learning that is priceless and genuine.
My dad decided to one year...I think I was in the 4th grade...My oldest sister must have been a 7th grader (I think it was mainly for her). He told us that we would get $10 for an A, $5 for a B, nothing for a C...BUT we had to pay him $5 for a D and $10 for an F. My sister excitedly stated, "You mean I could earn 50 bucks if I get straight As?"...to which my 5 year-old brother asked..."What do you get for crooked As?"
ReplyDeleteI don't even remember if any one actually got money...but I will never stop teasing my brother about "crooked As"...
I'm pretty sure Lil D will never get paid for his grades...but I don't think it is the worst parenting technique:)
Oh YES!! We absolutely give gifts!!! (not money) We have yet to tell them ahead of time, but have given them "a little something" each year when school is out. They have yet to catch on, but I don't care if they do. Education is always necessary and expected. But it's hard... it's not only about the grades, but dealing with authority and peers, completing homework, getting up and ready each day without complaining.. and so much more. Getting "through" all that is worth something. Besides, who doesn't like gifts?? lol. This year the kids are getting scooters..and are SOOOOO excited about it! (5yrold and 8yrold)
ReplyDeleteIf my boss offered me a bonus........
We wait until the END of the year. If they've made all A's and B's the entire year, we give our 2 kids $100 each.
ReplyDeleteWendy asked what I do, and though it doesn't follow the popular opinion here today here goes...
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son (5th grade) brings home B's easily and argues that a B is still a good grade. It really is a good grade but I needed to motivate him to try his best without browbeating him to get all A's. After speaking with his teachers they mentioned they hate the "you better get straight A's!" pressure. We came up with a system of $5 per A and nothing for a B.
I'm loving the idea of them paying us for a C or D though!
He really has to put in extra effort to make an A and it's his "job" 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. Money motivates him and he brought home his latest report card with all A's and one B - his best report card yet!
I don't have a problem with using money as an incentive. When they go out into the real adult world and do a good job guess what the reward is....a pat on the back...nope...MONEY! It's called a paycheck. You have my vote Jennifer. I did the same with my two sons (now 26 & 28)..both turned out to be very intelligent and hard working young men.
ReplyDeleteI just thought of something Jen........When you work hard and get good grades you have a better chance of being offered a Scholarship and guess what a Scholarship is.......MONEY!!! You are officially vindicated my girl ;-)
ReplyDelete