08/04/2026
Here is this week's Wednesday Why...
“Why shouldn't I pay my child to do household chores?”
💭 Paying children to do chores sounds like a good idea… but is it?
When we pay kids for chores, we can accidentally teach them that the reason to help is the reward 💸
And that can lead to the classic: “What do I get for it?” when we ask them to do something outside their remit.
But most parents want to teach more than that.
✨ That families help each other
✨ That we notice what needs doing and step in
✨ That we’re considerate of everyone in the house
✨ That mum & dad aren’t here to clear up after everyone
Most children aren’t naturally tidy — and that’s okay.
But they can learn to bring plates to the kitchen or put clothes in the washing basket when they understand why it helps and when their effort is noticed.
Because let’s be honest — it feels good when someone thanks us for a lovely dinner or notices we’ve tidied up 💛
So instead of money, stickers or other rewards, try acknowledgement:
🗣️ “Thank you for bringing your plates through — it makes it so much easier to get tidied up.”
🗣️ “Thanks for bringing your clothes down — it means I won’t miss anything that needs washing.”
We encourage families to talk about what needs doing around the house.
To recognise what parents already do — the washing, cooking, lifts, organising — and to invite children to do their bit.
Not because they’re paid.
But because that’s what families do for each other 🤍
It won’t change behaviour overnight — but it does start teaching the values that matter.
