In our family we do not do an allowance. My kids know that they can ask me to do a job that is not normally on their list of chores and we will negotiate a price. Often these jobs consist of things that I’d like to get done, but don’t have the the bandwidth for. Some examples are, picking up pinecones in the backyard, spraying out and washing any of the trashcans outside or in the house, help with cleaning out the garage, and etc. During the summer, however, I encourage them to seek out opportunities to work outside of our home. (I am pro-child labor, just so we’re clear 😉 Ha! just kidding! 100% joking!!) Here is a list of ways kids can make some extra money in the summer!
Yard Work! I guess this is a spring and summer option. Raking up dead leaves, weeding, cutting branches, cleaning out garden beds and prepping them. These are all things that they can offer to help your neighbors with. Nervous that they won’t do a good job or know how to do it? Start the task with them and show them how. Also, let them practice at home. The more often they have used a set of clippers, the more comfortable and certain they will be with their use.
Mowing Lawns! Got a 9 or 10 year old kid? Start having them mow your lawn, or have them practice on a neighbor’s lawn. My 13 year old has been mowing lawns for the last 4 summers. When he first wanted to do it we’d have him mow our lawn and would then look it over with him. We’d have him go back over any uneven spots and be sure to sweep up after himself. Once he was 11 he was big enough to practice edging. We’d stay with him to help teach and correct him and make sure he was safely handling the equipment. We’d then let him offer to do other people’s lawns as well. We do not pay him to mow our lawn. He does that as payment to us for the gas that we buy for the lawn mower. Last year he paid for half of the price of a new mower as well. This year he is saving for a Washington D.C. trip with his class next Spring Break. It’s been a great business for him and has taught him about getting up and getting to work even when he doesn’t feel like it, and the importance of doing a good job every time. Invaluable lessons for all of us to learn!
Dog sitting or dog walking! The summer is vacation time for most families. It’s the perfect time to offer to help out with taking care of pets while others are out of town. Or, some people don’t have the time to walk their dogs or aren’t home to do it. Offer to have your kids do it. The caveat here is that you need to make sure it’s a dog that your child can handle. An 8 year old might struggle with walking an 80 pound dog, so either you need to accompany them and have your kid pick up the dog poop, or you maybe offer to care for smaller pups until they are bigger!
Babysitting or Mother’s Helper! You know your child’s capabilities best, but generally 12 year-olds are ready to babysit little kids. But if you have a 10 or 11 year old that is responsible, loves kids, and wants to help out, offer for them to be a mommy’s helper! This just means staying and playing with younger kids while the mom is home and working, or getting other tasks done. This will definitely pay less than babysitting, but is great prep work for it!
Lemonade Stand! Tried and true, few people can resist stopping at a lemonade stand! Find a busy corner and set up shop! Make some cookies to sell, or candy, and make a fun poster advertising your goods! Have you had too many people telling you that they don’t have change? Have them use Venmo! Whenever we do a lemonade stand I have my kids mark down how much they spent on preparing for it. That way they can really learn if it’s truly making them money or not. In the end, I think the fun of it is too alluring for them to decide not to do it. It is a good lesson in economics. They love meeting new people and always have a good time.
Training for these starts at home!! So if you don’t feel like they are ready to work outside of the home, help them learn to work in the home!! Need ideas for chores at home? Check out these here and here.
One word on service. Many of these options can also be done as service. If there are those that are ailing, or in real need of help and offer to pay for my kids to do a job for them, I will not always accept payment for their service. It is important that our kids learn to work and earn money, yes. It is more important to me, however, that they learn to see a need and serve others even if it is inconvenient for them. Work ethic learned both through service and in exchange for payment is vital for their sense of responsibility to others and their confidence in doing a job well.
That’s it! Go encourage your kids to get out there and save up for a fun toy, trip, or a rainy day!! Happy working!!
Kayleen
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