Patch Batavia, IL --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:
*What is your kids’ allowance and what are the expectations for them to earn it?*
*Take a look at what people had to say and join the conversation in the comments section.*
*Julie Hallock Howard:* We take a hybrid approach. Our philosophy is that chores should be done because that's what you do as a member of the family. Our 8-year-old has several chores that he is required to do, just because that is how a family works. However, he can earn money by doing an out-of-the ordinary task. He does get an allowance every week, and this is strictly to learn the value of money. — Batavia Patch Facebook
*Andrew Meyer:* I would give my kids $100 a night to go to sleep when we ask. — Darien Patch Facebook
*Karen Sherman Bushy:* When my kids were that age they got no "allowance". To me that word indicates some kind of an entitlement to some amount of money. Didn't work that way in our house. They got paid for "pay jobs"....and if the job was not completed and on time, they didn't get paid. That only happened once or twice - they figured out real quick that there is no 'free ride' and that if you don't perform, you don't get paid.....otherwise how do you decide when in their young life do you start teaching them about personal responsibility and consequences? When does the 'allowance' stop, and what would be the reason for it? — Downers Grove Patch Facebook
*Nicole Stanton:* Pretty sure Suze Orman says No Allowance. That's my line anyway. — Elmhurst Patch Facebook
*Kristen Norris Zimny:* No allowance here. Kids are expected to do their fair share at home. They get treats or items they want pretty often, so that makes up for no allowance. As my oldest told me once- "why should I get paid for something that you don't get paid for". I never got an allowance and I turned out just fine. — Geneva Patch Facebook
*Nan Ziegler:* I was born in the early 50's, and my allowance for a long time was a dime for every year I was old. — Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Patch Facebook
*Rae Wall:* My kids did things as part of being a family. Cleaned their bedrooms, took out the garbage, mowed the lawn, etc. As they got older, they got paid for doing extra chores. Last summer my college aged boy even did a lot of "spring cleaning" for extra money-windows, baseboards, kitchen cabinets! — Lemont Patch Facebook
*Kerin Thomas Smith:* $15/week (age 12). She has to clean her room, clean her bathroom, pick up the yard after the dogs, do 1 dusting and 1 vacuumming chore. All chores must be done to get paid. No prorations! — Naperville Patch Facebook
*JohnPatience Corfield:* Our 8 yr old gets 3$ a week for feeding and cleaning up after our two cats daily... — St. Charles Patch Facebook
**So what's your take? Tell us in the comments. ** Reported by Patch 6 days ago.