by Amanda van der Gulik
It's that time of year again...that time when spring is in the air and new dreams and goals catch fire!
Your child probably has his or her whole summer planned out, if they're anything like my own. And guess what? Yup some of those plans will cost money!
Go figure, right? ;)
Well, don't you think it's time you stopped being treated like your child's very own personal bank machine?
"Mom can I have some money for this... I want that..." etc.
It's great if you have the money to spend on your child for sure, but what is it teaching your child?
Will your child learn how to earn their own money for once they leave your protective nest? Will they know how to manage it?...or will they end up moving back in with you due to their lack of financial awareness?
Are you prepared to remain a permanent bank machine for your child or are you ready to give them that little push and get them started on the path to independence?
Did you know that no matter how old your child is, there is something they can do to earn money?
It's true, and all it really takes is a little imagination and a big goal and desire to make it happen.
Summer is the PERFECT time of the year to get your little one out there earning his or her own money. There are so many things they can do.
As soon as your child is old enough to start negotiating with you ("Mommy if you give me this cereal, I'll do such and such...") then they are old enough to start negotiating with as far as jobs are concerned.
Take a quick look at this cute video I did with my kiddos, to give you some ideas:
Here are some more ideas for different ages:
2-5 years - They can help around the house, emptying garbage bins, doing the 'safe' dishes, making beds, etc. Create a fun chart and with give them stars for each task and at the end of each week if the tasks were all completed then give them a "thank-you" payout, kind of like an allowance, so they can start to understand the concept of providing a service in exchange for earnings.
6-10 years - Now they are big enough to do bigger projects, like helping neighbours with groceries, setting up lemonade stands or other baked goodies etc. Get them creative, have them contribute to the ideas and see what their imaginations can come up with!
11-13 years - Mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, cleaning the house from top to bottom, painting fences, teaching other kids to do things that they themselves are good at. This is an amazing age for them to start coming up with their own business ideas!
14-17 years - Now in most places your child is legally allowed to babysit or take on other forms of employment (check your local laws) as well as of course creating their own ventures, like personal shopper, house cleaning, tutoring, landscaping, etc.
Those are just a few ideas to get you started, there are a ton more great ideas in my "50 Money Making Ideas for Kids and Teens" ebook that I give away for free on my site as well.
Whatever you do, please do take the time to help your child find a way to earn their own money and stop treating you like a money machine. You deserve better. Your child deserves better!
Here's to you and your child's success and to a great summer ahead!
Cheers...Amanda...Excited Life Enthusiast! ;o)
Best-selling author, Amanda van der Gulik, has been homeschooling her own two children for over 11 years. She loves to share her own experiences to help other families and is the founder of www.TeachingChildrenAboutMoney.com. Visit Amanda’s site today to grab your FREE copy of one of her amazing money tools for kids and teens, like her eBook, “Goal Setting for Families” workbook or her “50 Money Making Ideas for Kids and Teens” eBook to help your child find some fun ways to make their own dreams come true!
It's that time of year again...that time when spring is in the air and new dreams and goals catch fire!
Your child probably has his or her whole summer planned out, if they're anything like my own. And guess what? Yup some of those plans will cost money!
Go figure, right? ;)
Well, don't you think it's time you stopped being treated like your child's very own personal bank machine?
"Mom can I have some money for this... I want that..." etc.
It's great if you have the money to spend on your child for sure, but what is it teaching your child?
Will your child learn how to earn their own money for once they leave your protective nest? Will they know how to manage it?...or will they end up moving back in with you due to their lack of financial awareness?
Are you prepared to remain a permanent bank machine for your child or are you ready to give them that little push and get them started on the path to independence?
Did you know that no matter how old your child is, there is something they can do to earn money?
It's true, and all it really takes is a little imagination and a big goal and desire to make it happen.
Summer is the PERFECT time of the year to get your little one out there earning his or her own money. There are so many things they can do.
As soon as your child is old enough to start negotiating with you ("Mommy if you give me this cereal, I'll do such and such...") then they are old enough to start negotiating with as far as jobs are concerned.
Take a quick look at this cute video I did with my kiddos, to give you some ideas:
2-5 years - They can help around the house, emptying garbage bins, doing the 'safe' dishes, making beds, etc. Create a fun chart and with give them stars for each task and at the end of each week if the tasks were all completed then give them a "thank-you" payout, kind of like an allowance, so they can start to understand the concept of providing a service in exchange for earnings.
6-10 years - Now they are big enough to do bigger projects, like helping neighbours with groceries, setting up lemonade stands or other baked goodies etc. Get them creative, have them contribute to the ideas and see what their imaginations can come up with!
11-13 years - Mowing the lawn, doing the laundry, cleaning the house from top to bottom, painting fences, teaching other kids to do things that they themselves are good at. This is an amazing age for them to start coming up with their own business ideas!
14-17 years - Now in most places your child is legally allowed to babysit or take on other forms of employment (check your local laws) as well as of course creating their own ventures, like personal shopper, house cleaning, tutoring, landscaping, etc.
Those are just a few ideas to get you started, there are a ton more great ideas in my "50 Money Making Ideas for Kids and Teens" ebook that I give away for free on my site as well.
Whatever you do, please do take the time to help your child find a way to earn their own money and stop treating you like a money machine. You deserve better. Your child deserves better!
Here's to you and your child's success and to a great summer ahead!
Cheers...Amanda...Excited Life Enthusiast! ;o)
Best-selling author, Amanda van der Gulik, has been homeschooling her own two children for over 11 years. She loves to share her own experiences to help other families and is the founder of www.TeachingChildrenAboutMoney.com. Visit Amanda’s site today to grab your FREE copy of one of her amazing money tools for kids and teens, like her eBook, “Goal Setting for Families” workbook or her “50 Money Making Ideas for Kids and Teens” eBook to help your child find some fun ways to make their own dreams come true!
