Frequently Asked Questions

A. Chores are a child's contribution to the household. We don't recommend rewarding a child for doing chores. We do however want to reward them for improving. We want to encourage them to continue to get better not just meet minimum standards. From time to time you can reward them for their continued best efforts but we agree that rewards should not be equated to payments.
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A. Most experts agree that an allowance should NOT be used for either reward or punishment. CEOMOM.com says

Don't Connect Chores with Allowance

This is an ongoing debate and some families say paying their children for chores really works for them. That is great! But most will agree it complicates the systema and once something begins to be too much to manage for them, the system crashes.

Allowance has got to be consistent, so keep it simple and manageable for best results. Parents who tie allowance to chores have to make sure the chores are done properly before giving out the money and this turns into constant checking and bugging and checking and bugging. Second of all, some kids will simply say they don't want the cash just to get out of doing chores. That's not a fun debate either, because you can't make a child do chores if the only expectation is to get their allowance. The point of an allowance is to teach money management skills. Chores are expected as being a member of the family. also, do not threaten to take away allowance for bad behavior and it is suggested not to pay for grades either.
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A. Improvement is the main thing you would look for. If your child is improving you have movement in the right diretion. Keep that up and you will be successful. Don't be reluctant to praise and reward your child. It is natural, but not necessarily helpful, for your child's negative actions to gain your attention. Try to change your own behavior. Focus on the good.
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A. Results are important but the effort that gets part way there should definitely be rewarded. We want to encourage the right behavior not the result. So let's encourage the behavior; sustained practice will make your child ever more successful.
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A. How much is a question only you can answer, but consider this: the reward is not really what your child will be most thrilled with. Your child wants to feel proud about their accomplishments and wants your praise and attention. The reward is an ongoing reminder of those great feelings. So we recommend something that will be meaningful but not overwhelming.
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A. About as often as you can. At least a couple of times a week.
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A. Creating an account lets you set up a full program of rewards for your child. It lets you award points that are accumulated in your child's account which your child can then redeem for popular merchandise you might otherwise buy anyway. Your account also lets you set up chore charts that can be set up once and reprinted on a weekly basis.
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A. Setting up the account is free, but if you want to purchase points then there is a charge for the points. Since the points can be redeemed for merchandise they are, after all, like money.
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A. We work with vendors who have a wide assortment of popular items so that your child will have something they want to work toward. We only work with vendors who supply safe products.
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A. Although you might get the merchandise at a lower cost that way, you would not have the benefit of working the Kid-Rewards program. That amount of money you might save is the only cost you see from our program.
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A. We are careful about your security and privacy. We never share your information. We never have your credit card information on our servers. Access to your child's information is controlled by you.
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A. You should allow any adult you and your child know who will understand your objectives and will respect your wishes. Don't be surprised if they want to be a little more generous than you might want.
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