Family
BuddyPocket money and chores: what is part of helping at home?
You want your child to help at home, but you do not want every request to become “How much will you pay me?” Everyday jobs can be part of family life, while an occasional bigger project can be a chance to earn extra pocket money. The line is yours to draw.
By the Family Buddy Team
One approach is to keep everyday responsibilities separate from optional extra paid jobs. Everyday chores are part of helping at home, while occasional extra paid jobs offer a way to earn money on top of the allowance.
Helping at home does not need a price list
Taking a plate to the kitchen, putting clothes in the laundry basket or tidying up after play can be part of looking after the home you share. These are examples of everyday helping you might expect without offering a payment each time.
An occasional extra project is different. It is work beyond your child's usual responsibilities that you can offer them a choice about taking on. If it suits your family and budget, it can be a chance to earn a little extra pocket money.
The distinction is not just whose belongings are involved. Setting the family table may be an everyday responsibility; helping you reorganise a cupboard one weekend may be extra. What matters is your family's usual routine.
Raising Children Network describes different approaches to paying for chores and notes that linking chores to pocket money can lead to bargaining over what each job is worth. You can choose the approach you can explain and follow consistently.
Keep money for school meals and transport separate from extra earnings.
Helping with a bigger kitchen job
Putting their toys away is part of looking after their own things. Helping you reorganise a kitchen cupboard one weekend could be an opportunity to earn extra pocket money. You work alongside them: they sort plastic containers and match lids while you tackle the rest.
You take things down and decide what to keep. Your child groups the containers, finds the lids that fit and puts the matched sets on a low shelf. Keep sharp, heavy or breakable items for you to handle, and help with anything unfamiliar.
You could also ask them to help wash the family car or wipe fingerprints off the living-room windows. For the windows, they can use a damp cloth on the glass they can reach from the floor while you clean the higher panes.
Points and pocket money, kept separate
Some jobs are part of the everyday routine. Others are a chance to earn a little extra. Family Buddy supports Points rewards and pocket money, so you can use each where it fits your family.
Award Points towards rewards you choose together. For paid jobs, Wallet keeps track of what your child has earned and the money you have given them. You hand over the money yourself; the app keeps the record.
