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mamahog

A couple of years ago, when they girls were six we started giving them pocket money for feeding the pets, and that worked for a while, but as they never spent their money until christmas or birthdays, and i was so lax at remembering to pay up, they themselves at one point said that maybe we shouldn't bother with the money, as we should all help out anyway. and i obviously was quick to agree ;) Now we tend to give them cash in lump sums, of a tenner here or there for trying really hard at learning a new song on the piano, or stuff like that. They also raise cash by selling or donating their old things to charity (we hold bi-annual yard sales and i slip them a little money for charitable donations).
Their chores are not called chores but are rather part of their integral role within the family. They make their own breakfast and beds (most of the time), scrape and stack their plates in the dishwasher, lay the table, tidy their toys and bedroom and playroom, carry/put away shopping, feed pets, water plants, hang up coats, put away shoes, and hoover. i also like the idea of starting them on ironing...
They know that i dust, tidy, mop and cook. and wash-up. i also tend to fold the laundry and hang it.. although they can now put in a load and start the machine, and i've been working on getting them to hang stuff on the line properly!
My partner also cooks occasionally, cleans out the turtle tank and puts out the rubbish. So they girls know that we all play a part in the running of the house. If they do their bit them we'll do ours. but if they don't, well then, three (or four) can play at that game... and they'll be singing for their supper and making their own halloween and show costumes!!
It's going ok so far, and i really think it's important for their development as mentioned in the post. Fingers crossed for the teenage years though ;)

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