My Attempt at Good Parenting

Lately we have been having a few problems with behavior at our house. My sister suggested an idea for us. I have since introduced it. It's been a couple of weeks and it's working pretty darn well. (Once I got over the fact that it was sooooo much work on my end) I'm posting this so I can look back years from now and say to myself, "Oh good for you for trying."
I made up a bunch of fake money for the girls. Now each rule and chore has a dollar amount associated with it. At the end of the night they get paid for the things they did. It's not an all or nothing thing. If they only got in trouble once, they will receive partial payment.

RULES
1. Don’t disrespect your family members or their stuff ($5.00)
2. Do not destroy our house and use things they way they’re meant to be used. ($5.00)
3. Keep things where they belong ($5.00)
4. Don’t waste food / Eat all your meals ($5.00)
5. No lying ($5.00)
6. No sneaking things ($5.00)
7. No bad attitudes ($5.00)
8. No gross behavior ($5.00)
9. Outside behavior stays outside ($5.00)
10. No whining or arguing ($5.00)

CHORES
1. Keep rooms clean ($15.00)
2. Make beds every morning ($15.00)
3. Don’t leave dirty clothes in bathroom or towels on the floor ($10.00)
4. Keep toys picked up in toy-room ($10.00)
5. Hang up coats & backpacks ($5.00)
6. Rinse off dishes and put them on the counter or in the dishwasher ($10.00)
Khursten
Empty garbages Bathroom, Loft, & Bedroom ($50.00 on the day you do it)
Keep loft straightened ($15.00)
Do Homework without complaint ($15.00)
Nicole
Straighten book shelves ($15.00)
Take care of stuff in stair basket ($15.00)
Do nightly reading ($15.00)
Audrey
Pick up bathtub toys ($15.00)
Put couch pillows back on couch ($15.00)

EXTRA MILE
1. Help mom with cleaning ($25.00)
2. Take kitchen garbage out ($25.00)
3. Good behavior when we have visitors ($25.00)
4. Put away clean clothes ($25.00)
5. Clean up toys from backyard ($25.00)
6. Help Audrey with things ($25.00)
7. Clean up a mess that’s not yours ($25.00)
8. Get 100% on your spelling test ($25.00)
9. No Pee Pee Accidents ($25.00)


Then the girls can buy things. Most of them are things that I was already letting them do for free. This way it encourages them to earn the things they want to do. It is already teaching them one of life's most difficult lessons, "You can have anything you want, but you can't have everything you want." If one girl pays for a family bike-ride and the other doesn't have enough money to go, Ryan or I will stay home with the one who can't afford it. They are forced to prioritize and really think carefully about how they'd like to spend their money. Plus, it's created a lot less nagging on my part. They're slowly learning that if they don't do the work, they don't get paid and if they don't get paid, it makes for one boring day. And best of all, it helps me have a better attitude about breaking out the scissors and glue and all the messy stuff because I know they have worked hard to earn it.
Here are the rewards that they can use their money for.

REWARDS
$10
1. Choose a treat from the treat bucket (3 per day)

$20
1. Draw / Color
2. 15 minutes of computer time (4 per day)
3. 1 hour of TV

$25
1. Play with friends after school
2. Stay up 15 minutes late (2 per day)

$50
1. Do crafts with scissors & glue
2. Popcorn with movie
3. Bedtime story from Dad
4. Go to the park
5. Family Bike Ride

$75
1. Mom makes your bed for you
2. 15 minutes of 1-on-1 time with mom or dad (2 per day)
3. Family walk or scooter ride

$100
1. Get out of dinner free if you don't like we're having (1 per week)
2. Painting

$150
1. Rent a family movie (1 per week)
2. Mom does full maid service for a day
3. Get a treat when mom goes shopping

$200
1. Do beads
2. Help mom make a treat for dessert (1 per week per kid)

$250
1. Trip to Dollar Store to spend allowance (1 per month)
2. Family game or puzzle

$300
1. Go swimming

$500
1. Trip to McDonalds (1 per month)
2. Yogi Berry (1 per month)
3. Special family activity (1 per month) some ideas:
Go see a movie
Go to the Zoo
Clark Planetarium
Kangaroo Zoo
Bowling
Picnic in Mountains, etc.
5. Trade in for one real dollar! (2 per week)