Marzipan came up with a marble reward system a few years ago that I halfheartedly attempted to enact way back then. My little one was too little, I was disorganized, the kids were unsure. Needless to say, it didn't work out. But, with a 7, 9, and 11 year old? I began wringing my hands together like a madman hatching a plan...this just might work!
So, everyone's allowance was cut in half and the remaining half will have to be earned. MMMWWHAHAHAHA!
I combined Marzipan's plan with a similar one I read about in Family Fun Magazine this month and Juniper's Marble System was born. It's pretty self explanatory through pictures:
A full jar yields $10 (it takes about 200 marbles to fill a jar, and they are earning about 10 marbles per day). They have completed more than the mandatory 20 minutes of reading and 2 workbook pages every day so far, along with picking up extra chores now and then.
I know many of you will write in that certain things are just expected and that allowance isn't for work done...That just didn't work for us. A lot of things were expected and there was a lot of arguing and nagging to get it done. I'm getting some help around here, they are getting rewarded, and both of us feel "in control".
Win/win as far as I'm concerned.
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I saw that idea in Family Fun and I loved it. I am working on implementing it in our house also. I love the idea to take away a marble for not flushing :).
ReplyDeleteIgnore the nay-sayers ..it's looks like a great plan to me and if it is working...well that's all the validation you need ..right?
ReplyDeleteHappy Summer!
Janet xox
This is great! My husband and I were just talking about how to get our kids to help out. I think its almost harder for them to pitch in with me in a cast!
ReplyDeleteI am so going to copy this one. Now if I don't have any marbles (because I'm crazy and losing them) ha, what else could I use?
I may have to get those marbles out again! We kinda fell off the system...To 1 Funky Woman, you could use pennies, buttons, even paper clips or dried beans! - anything small that you have a lot of.
ReplyDeleteAllowance not for work done? bahahaha!!! Take it from someone who has one out of the house and one still at home. (this especially works once they get their driver's license and desperately need gas $) She gets her allowance AFTER her chores are done at the end of the week. I know that in theory the other concept should be just hunky dory, but the kiddos need to understand that you aren't handed money on a silver platter while not pitching in around the house or ever cleaning your room. I may get a ton of wet noodles, but that's my .02. :)
ReplyDeleteSheesh I totally fell off topic with my rant. Can you tell you struck a cord??? Nice plan with the marbles, btw. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!! And yes, the kids definitely need to earn their allowance! Kids of every age are quite capabale of learning how to do even the smallest chore for a reward. I may have to use this this summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Great idea!! And yes, the kids definitely need to earn their allowance! Kids of every age are quite capabale of learning how to do even the smallest chore for a reward. I may have to use this this summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
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ReplyDeleteVery creative! Much better than spending the summer constantly fighting over what needs to be done!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. My youngin's are too small for this right now, but maybe in a couple of years I can inact this around my house. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great system and Family Fun is always coming up with great ideas!
ReplyDeleteFabulous! I'm working on a system using coins so that Sam can learn about money at the same time, and your chart is going to help me a lot! Sam will get to exchange him money for toys I've bought and stashed away. This also helps solve my problem of buying too many things for him--now he gets to earn the treats! :) Sunny
ReplyDeleteLOL! I think it's a great idea. Let them know they're lucky to even have an allowance in this recession ;)
ReplyDeleteHahahaha... I like that they owe one if they don't flush the toilet! That'll teach 'em! :)
ReplyDeleteI am going to copy this as it's been a nag fest since school let out. I like that the kids control their destiny.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for finding something that works! I'd like to do an allowance with my girls for some of the bigger household stuff, and I totally agree with you and some of the other posters that kids shouldn't get paid to just *be.* ;)
ReplyDeleteOoh! Great System! Now...I would just have to remember to have cash on hand to pay them!
ReplyDeleteThat is a super system...I never got an allowance as a kid (so I am not sure about my feelings on that) BUT...I do think it is great that they get to put in a marble when they accomplish a required task...and then get a "reward" when that jar gets filled up. I think it would even work with Lil D..even at 3, he would love to put in a marble for putting away his shoes, clothes, etc. and really...they are never to young to learn about money...so as I am typing, maybe I am forming an opinion on allowance:)
ReplyDeleteHey, I never got an allowance when I was growing up!
ReplyDeleteI've given you an Award on my blog!
* http://donandamanda.blogspot.com *
LOVE it! I have been waiting for the perfect chore system to come along!!!
ReplyDeleteI love dogs. I have a bully mixed breed. I would never trust him around a baby or a child. German sheps are also known to attack children. Zeus lets our kitten bite him and stick his front claws in his eyes and throat and everything. I still watch him like a hawk with the kitten...just in case. My sister is trying to get pregnant. When she needs me to babysit...I will NOT be doing it around Zeus. I would trust our Pomeranian around the baby either. Children are too precious. Pets and older children okay. My 13 year old daughter handles Zeus much better than I do. She's not afraid of him and picked adopted him at 12. She is not a timid person, though. She can bully this dog back. I know its difficult to rehome a pet, but isn't your child worth it. Pit bulls are very one-owner oriented anyway. They might be better off with a single male or single female anyway. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I decided to give away our dog at the time. He was a CHOW/Shep mix. It was difficult, but I didn't want to take a chance with my child.
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you....I feel like I'm losing the battle everyday! I just run around all day and nag and end up doing it myself. Give us and update...it all looks so nice and neat with your chart and jars for the marbles...
ReplyDelete