I say don't tie the allowance to chores. We always had to do chores. I think we only got an allowance for a few months one year, my parents really couldn't afford it.
I think at 3 I was unloading the dishwasher, putting stuff away on lower shelves, folding towels (or helping), matching socks, and putting my own clothes away. There's a ton she can do. help dust, etc. etc.
Kids like to be 'helpers' especially if there's some sort of intrinsic benefit to it (from make mommy happy to help mommy out, to making dinner going by faster)--she could fold napkins in half and put out the forks for example. Once she's done that a few weeks, she could gradually set the whole table.
I think 3 might be too young for allowance. There will be plenty of time for those lessons to take hold when she's a year or two older. Once you start it, it will be important to be consistent. I am lazy, so I put stuff like that off as long as possible. (Such as birthday parties.)
Re. what you can buy with 50 cents - some of Shmoo's favorite things cost very little. Like gumballs. If she doesn't see things she likes that are 50 cents, it will be a great lesson in saving up for something special.
Keep us posted!
Once she has about $1.08 she can buy something from the dollar store or the dollar section in Target.
We don't have the allowance thing for SRD as we are frying other fish but I'll have to talk to MD about it.
I think it's too early for an allowance, maybe by the time she starts school, around 5 or 6 years old, would be better. In addition, why limit it to "chores" - all a young child can really do is try to make their bed and put their toys away - why not give her a monitary prize for reading a book or getting good grades? Be creative!
Commenting by HaloScan
