How to Earn Points as Allowance

Setting up an alternative allowance for your children is a good system, but everyone must be on board with the idea. Present it to your children and see if they are happy with it. Instead of money, they earn points, and when they reach a certain amount, they can trade the points in for what they want. Spell it out in advance what they are working for.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Find out what your child would like. It may be a bike or skis or a new book, but whatever it is, they need a goal. Ask them what they would be saving for if they were getting money.
2. Look for the price of the item that your child has picked. Both you and your child should do this research so you are both on the same page. For example, if they want a sweater, you may see one for $25 but the one they actually want is $50. Therefore, you need to be sure you are both aware of the amount so no one is disappointed later.
3. Set up a point value for assigned chores. They could earn 20 points for doing the dishes, 15 points for setting the table, 50 points for mowing the grass and 25 points for cleaning their room. You need to assign points according to ages, tasks and time it takes to do the chore.
4. Add points for good grades or doing good deeds. A point system can be based on whatever you feel is a good incentive for your child. Therefore, rewarding her for good grades and doing extra things is a way to teach her life lessons.
5. Delete points for bad behavior. This system only works if you reward for good behavior and delete for bad. The point of this is the child should think twice about doing something wrong. This works better than a timeout or other punishment because the child knows it is going to take her longer to earn the points for that item she wants.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use this system for privileges--such as staying up later or staying out later than normal.