A couple from church came up with a unique reward and discipline system called “Kid Bucks” that they are thinking of turning into a small business, so they asked a few families like ours to test it out and give some feedback on it. They print little dollars for each child with their face on them (so they are not interchangeable) that can be earned and spent around the house. The idea is teach them the value of money, as well as saving, delayed gratification, hard work, making choices and accepting the natural consequences, and other life skills.
We decided to give it a try and keep it simple since the kids are still pretty little. We have a list of things they can earn Kid Bucks for, like making their beds, helping unload the dishwasher, putting away laundry or finishing their dinner without complaining. Each of them has a goal to reach for that can earn them a bonus, like 3 kid bucks for Amanda if she wakes up dry in the morning.
The Kid Bucks can be spent on a treat for dessert, a trinket from the prize box, a half hour of TV, an extra book at bedtime, etc. We encourage them to save them up by having a “big ticket” item, like a giant bottle of bubble solution, sitting on top of the book shelf that they can buy once they save up 10 kid bucks. It’s a challenge for little ones who thrive on instant gratification, but they love it when they finally achieve their goal.
The families with older kids have graduated to more complex concepts like paying “bills” for neglected chores or messes that mom and dad had to pick up, earning interest for saving, and only getting “paid” every two weeks so they have to make the Kid Bucks last until next “paycheck.” But for now, we’re keeping it simple.
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