The first question always seem to be ‘How much?’ and if they’re not asking it, you probably are. The amount can be determined with a couple considerations:

• What do you expect them to do for the allowance?
• What can they reasonably buy with the money? Will you place any restrictions on what they can spend it one?

A place to start is 50 cents per year of their age per week. Weekly is a short enough amount of time that you can monitor it but long enough that if they want to spend it on several treats over the week, he/she must manage the money. A child of six would receive $3 per week.

If you believe that your child should earn their allowance, it is good to understand what motivates your child. If they are not motivated by the money, your expectations won’t be met! Many people believe that a child should contribute to the household in some way (specific and regular chores) without receiving allowance however additional contributions or jobs are rewarded with an allowance. If the allowance is contingent on chores being completed, make sure the expectations are clear to all parties.

• Show them how to complete the task.
• Explain how often it must be done and without reminder.
• Explain the consequences of not doing the job (someone else has to do it in their place and they won’t receive their allowance).

Is it enough that they have everything they want or is it enough that they need extra?
Are they willing to work for what they want?

Do you have the money set aside in your budget to give them an allowance?

Our five year old was gung-ho to have her allowance and rattled off an extensive list of the chores she would do to earn it however when it came time to help with the first job (collecting the garbage from the two bathrooms, tipping it into the kitchen garbage and taking it out for removal), she exclaimed that she didn’t like it, it was stinking and she didn’t feel like taking it downstairs. That was the end of that. I guess we’re not quite ready yet!