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November 29, 2007
Allowance Learning
I stay out of the allowance debate. Many parents give their children an allowance. Other parents say no. It’s not necessary.
My own choice was to provide some allowance, but not enough for all the goodies my kids wanted. Extra money was available by doing jobs above the routine chores; bringing in firewood during the winter-routine, chopping wood during the summer-extra. They liked doing dangerous work with an axe and getting paid for it, but you get the picture.
For my money, what kids do with the money they receive is almost as important as receiving it. The other evening I was talking with a Mom who had a plan for her son’s utilization of his income that I’d wished I’d used.
Parker gets a daily allowance during the school year. Eighty percent of his money goes to whatever he chooses. If he’s like most fifth graders, he’s on the verge of big purchases-CDs, DVD, video games. Boy toys start to come in larger sizes in after the age of ten. Saving for a little longer than three days becomes a necessity if an ipod is in the picture.
Notice I said 80%. So what happens to the rest of his money? According to his Mom, 10% must be put into savings and 10% goes to charity. We didn’t have a lengthy discussion, but I’m guessing the savings stays put even when the ipod is close to a reality, and the charity is up to him. In this case I doubt if “charity beginning at home” is an argument that is going to be won ipod or no.
As I look at my own children and their learning the use of money, I realize we can’t start too soon. Habits of spending and saving, earning and giving begin to form early. They watch what you do. They try things out to see what works, but they learn best by experience.
I’m not into the allowance debate, but I do believe we need to let our children experience the benefits and pitfalls of receiving and spending money before they have to do it on their own. We may not always agree with their purchases. I still have remnants of stuffed animals crazes, clunky jewelry, and music I would never listen to around my house. I also have a few baseball cards that might just be worth a fortune someday, all purchased by youngsters figuring out what they liked in the world and how much they were willing to spend on it.
Posted by Dr Joni at 05:56 PM
November 03, 2007
Costumes and Pretend Make Great Fun for All
Halloween did not go by unnoticed at my house. Cowboys, Supermen and women, princesses, angels and devils appeared on my doorstep in a steady stream. Four-hundred and forty nine of them showed up between the hours of 6:00 and 8:30. I know because I keep count with slash marks on a piece of paper by the door.
When I lived in the country I saw nary a one of these costumed creatures. Now on October 31 I don’t sit down very often during the evening. I either stand by the door shelling out handfuls of candy, mark on my counter how many more have rung the bell, or run into the kitchen to open the next bag and dump it in the bowl before the doorbell rings again.
Some of the most interesting folks show up during this parade. A Superman of about three feet in height with the biggest blue muscled chest I’ve ever seen caught my attention. Identical twin boys in camouflage outfits probably couldn’t hide well from their mother, but they could sure confuse someone as to which was which. A four foot tall pirate made ready for land-lubbers to walk the plank.
One of my last visitors came as a beautiful angel complete with wings and halo. I have watched this child grow up. One of my nicest treats on Halloween is the visit from her and her mom. This visit has become a tradition, one I look forward to. She hands out the last of my candy and tallies the numbers of Trick or Treators while her mom and I catch up.
What fun for angels, Supermen and pirates to be angels, supermen, and pirates even for one night a year.
Posted by Dr Joni at 11:03 AM