Should You Pay Kids for Chores?

The short answer

Use a hybrid approach. Some chores should be unpaid because they're simply part of being in a family. Extra or bigger tasks can earn money. This avoids the two extremes — children who expect payment for everything, and children who never connect effort with reward.

The case for paying

• It links money to effort — a foundational lesson for adult life.
• It gives children their own money to practise saving, spending and giving.
• It can motivate reluctant helpers, especially with a clear, visible system.

The case against paying

• Children may refuse to help unless there's money on offer.
• It can turn shared family life into a series of transactions.
• It risks teaching that contributing to the home is optional.

Which chores should be paid, and which free?

A simple rule of thumb:

• Unpaid ("family") chores: making the bed, clearing plates, tidying their own room, basic self-care.
• Paid or rewarded ("extra") chores: washing the car, deep-cleaning, helping with a bigger one-off task, work beyond their normal share.

How much should you pay?

Keep amounts small and tied to effort — the lesson is about earning, not the size of the reward. A points or token system that converts to a modest amount works well: it's easy to track, easy to stay consistent with, and lets you tie effort to a savings goal your child actually cares about.

Making it work in practice

Whatever you choose, consistency is what makes it stick. Decide which chores are paid, agree it with your child, and keep the system visible so it runs itself instead of becoming a daily negotiation.