Today was "Finance Day" at our house. I've been looking forward to this for a few weeks. He had done some big jobs around the house (not regular chores) and had some cash coming from those, plus his allowance and report card. I laid out his earnings in ONE DOLLAR BILLS! This was impressive to him, until I began to ask for "cash back." He also knew that debts were paid on Finance Day! "Please give me $5. for the shampoo bottle you emptied just for fun in your bath. And I'd like $2. for the gum you took from the car without asking. You climbed on the rocks you've been asked to stay off and broke a very nice fern plant to shreds. I'd like $10. for that. You owe your uncle $10. and let's remember to put some into savings." At the end of our discussion, half the piles of one dollar bills were gone. He still had a nice chunk for something he's been saving for (more fishing gear) but he SAW how much cash was used for restitution.
We discussed how he could actually KEEP all of his earnings next month. Did we cure impulsivity with money? NOT ON YOUR LIFE! But this is one more step in the longgggg path to guiding a busy boy. We can not let up on our vigilance for a minute. Every "plan" contributes to reaching a successful goal!!
4 comments:
Sounds like something I should set up for my kids. How do you keep track? I would love to get something easy going, as anything that takes time just bores my daughter and she then she won't care and won't work toward it. Oh the joys..lol.
It's times like this that I wish I had some elaborate tracking system to share. Unfortunately, my life as a teacher dictates enough tracking so this one is completely based on memory. Because we discussed each infraction thoroughly, I hadn't forgotten them. We may have missed something small but got that majors! Maybe a cool frig chart with Credit (allowance and earnings) & Debits (anything owed and needing to be subtracted on "pay day.") We have normal chores nobody gets paid for and a few special ways to earn extra money. All money is paid out on pay day. Everything done together. Then you're done for the next 4 weeks! GOOD LUCK!!
For Chris- we use family mint... we have 5 kids to manage and this site works best for us and keeps me from losing my mind. Check out http://www.powermomsunite.com, under money management
For Charlotte-your post made me laugh and reassured me- your son's list of bills sounded like one from my house... $20 for bike pump, broken while filing a PVC water cannon; $3-bottle of shampoo, used to turn shower stall into bubble bath; $45-dishwasher repair bill, after door was slammed over and over again in frustration....
It's just so nice to find another another like minded mom, managing ADHD and sharing in the blogosphere- thank you!
I need to hear your stories! Really hilarious when you're on the outside! Visit again!
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