Kids Keep Asking Mom For More Pocket-Money So She Creates Household Chore ‘Jobs’ And Makes Them Apply
Job postings. Application forms. In-house credit unions. No, these aren’t the hallmarks of an up-and-coming business or a job fair, but rather, a part of raising kids in one family home in The Great State of Georgia.
Mother of three, Shaketha Marion McGregor wanted to teach her munchkins an important real-life lesson about earning money. That’s why she decided that from now on, them getting their pocket money won’t be as easy as coming up to her and nagging her for it. She created a hiring event where her kids applied for ‘jobs’ around the house — this way, they have to work for their allowance just like grown-ups.
More info: Facebook
One mom was tired of her kids always asking her for their allowance, so she came up with a cunning plan
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
She made her kids apply for ‘jobs’ around the house, so they can earn their allowance
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
“My children continue to ask for a new cell phone, an allowance, and to go places,” Shaketha wrote on Facebook. “If you want it, work for it, earn it!” She also jokingly added two hashtags: #ThisMomMeansBusiness and #IWonderWhoWillGetFiredFirst. This mom’s life hacking post received more than 213,000 likes, over 35,000 comments, and was shared a staggering 130,000 times. With numbers like these, Shaketha seems to have the soul of a successful businesswoman.
The jobs were kitchen manager, lead housekeeper, and laundry supervisor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Shaketha is raising three children: daughters Serinity, who is 6, and Takeia, 10; and son Jahkeem, 13. So naturally, everyday necessities can get a tad expensive with such a large family. Not to mention how much all the treats that kids demand can add up to.
The mom sent her son a rejection letter after he applied for a position that had been filled
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Tom and Donna on the TV show Parks and Recreation live a ‘treat yo self’ kind of life, but Shaketha obviously doesn’t want her kids to follow the same path. So she put up ‘job’ notices for various house chores, printed out job application forms for her kids, and even established ‘Mom’s Credit Union.’ Among the list of open positions were lead housekeeper, laundry supervisor, and kitchen manager. Personally, I believe that the latter job for kids sounds like the best starting spot for a great career, but what do you think?
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Image credits: Shaketha Marion McGregor
Psychology Today reveals that chores are a positive thing for kids due to several reasons. First of all, they learn how to do necessary tasks from an early age. Which means they won’t end up as forty-somethings who can’t even butter their own toast or do their own laundry. Secondly, children learn the importance of doing their bit for the family, and by extension, for their community. In other words, if your kid grows up to be functioning members of society, the world becomes a better place to live in. Thirdly, research shows that youngsters are happy when they help their loved ones. Sounds like a win-win situation for everyone involved.
What do you think about making kids do chores? How big do you think their allowance should be? Should more parents start doing what Shaketha did to instill the right values from an early age? For everyone’s sake, we hope that the United States’ economy holds strong and none of Shaketha’s kids have to be fired from their ‘jobs.’
Commentators thought the mom’s plan was brilliant
I quiet like this, is not about cleaning the area but maintaining the area while reminding other to clean after themselves. This allows the children to feel like the chore wasn’t a chore to start with.
I thought that was particularly good. This is not just about doing a chore and getting money. This is a well thought out plan to create thoughtful, functional adults who understand self reliance and personal responsibility.
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If I asked for an allowance or a new phone, my mother would laugh and then lecture me for a few hours...
Ask and ye shall receive a long and boring lecture. Been there, done that, and said, "Nope" when the 'rents once asked if there was anything I wanted to talk about. It sound too much like a trap ("I'm glad you brought that up, now listen to me, young lady--").
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I think this is great and she is teaching her kids responsibility. A coworker tried to compare the fact that i make my kids pay back money they borrow to the fact that her dad gives her whatever she wants. I gladly pointed out that if i have to get up and work for what I earn I am not just giving away my hard earned money. You borrow it you must pay it back, period. We try and teach my grandchildren the value of money and hard work. Finally got the oldest to realize that it is okay to save up for something special and you dont have to run out and spend every penny the moment you get it.
Why isn't this done is schools? Seriously, why do we spend so much time teaching kids about things they will NEVER use (I'm fairly sure I've never needed to work out the hypotenuse of a triangle without a ruler) and not teaching them real life lessons like this??
When I was in 5th grade, we did something very similar to this! Everyone in the class applied for a job, (teacher's assistant, sweeper, etc.). We were paid fake money which we could use to buy toys, candy, and school supplies at the classroom store, as well as at class auctions where students could bring in their own things to sell. We had to pay taxes and rent for our desks, lockers, cubbies. etc. There was even a class bank where we learned to write checks and deposit money! At one point, our teacher purposely increased the taxes and to an unfair amount to see what we would do, which led to my friend and I starting a "revolution" where a big group of students went on strike from our jobs and refused to pay rent or tax. We all had to sit on the floor and couldn't use our lockers or cubbies. Eventually we made a "constitution", which we all signed and gave to our teacher. This simulation taught me lessons about life that I still use four years later!
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I love this!! I know plenty of people who were either so spoiled they didn't have to butter their own toast or pay their bills and now the parents are annoyed that their still living at home on the parents dime! When/if they do move out they have no respect for anyone or anything and because everything was handed to them they get angry when it isn't! Then I know people that had to work with chores and get jobs at a young age and they are great hard working people!!
I got something similar when I was about 5 years old. If I wanted those toys and video games, I had to save up my own money,. making minimum wage to do any kind of household chore - wash the car, do the dishes, vacuum, etc. I ended up spending all of my money before I reached my goal (enough for a Super Nintendo), and I knew that it was 100% on me; if I want something, I have to work for it and make responsible choices to get it. I grew up being very responsible with my money and I think that has a lot to do with it.
I feel nurturing intrinsic motivation would be far better at creating a strong work ethic for later in life. There are other ways the value of money can be taught. A child doesn't need a strong work ethic, a child doesn't need responsibility. I'm worried for our next generation; todays adults are expecting far too much from them!
This, is true teaching of real life skills in a real-world applicable setting, preparing your kids for what is to come. Well done!
My mother would always put up a chore list every monday of chores plus what I get for doing them. Like 5€ for cleaning the bathroom, 1€ for vacuuming the hallways, 10€ to clean my room. Honestly worked alot more since I could pick and choose and she was just happy for every task I did, no matter how small. Its an idea I myself will use on my children.
these are children, no need to show them the real world. they will get in touch as adults. its a misbelieve to think like this - no need to condition children like this: money & "you are a good child", if you perform.
If I was the child I would love to do this. And no, I'm not an adult. I'm 10.
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I always liked the mom that set out a note for her kids saying "Would you like today's Wifi password? Then clean your room, make your bed and do your homework."
I think this is brilliant. They don’t teach things like this in schools and although it’s the whole teaching responsibility concept, it’s also giving them a taste of what it’s like in the real world. Bravo mom!
Brilliant idea. It makes chores fun for kids, they learn to be responsible for their own actions, they earn money instead of it being handed to them, AND it teaches valuable adult skills (job applications, responsibility, self reliance, etc). Give this mom her own tv show!
This actually sounds really fun! I would gladly do chores like this.
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Mewton Turd Paw , here are the things I love about your response. First of all you assume I have kids. Second of all, your the kind of person that thinks that using "big" words makes for an intelligent response. Clearly it doesn't. I speak more eloquently in simplicity than you do in drivel. Thirdly, thanks for quoting me, lmao, yeah I said it you a*s. Quoting someone's argument doesn't make it less right. Fourthly, my bad mental place is having a PhD in medical science that has allowed me to work my dream job. I don't think we'll kind a cure for your obvious disfunction. Lastly, you're not just a twat, you're an infected one.
This reminds me of the 'job market' they did on the Netflix show 'No Good Nick' where they would auction off jobs like taking out the garbage. All the kids put in an offer of what they would like to earn for doing the job and the kids with the lowest bid would get the job.
I think it's both good and bad. They get to learn about responsibilities. But will they start asking for money for everything they do around the house now? Will they understand that sometimes they should offer to help others without expecting anything in returns?
So, if she did not give an allowance, would you assume the kids would think that it is always okay to work hard for no pay? Of course not. How about they can do chores for their allowance AND learn that they can help others without pay?? It IS possible to teach kids BOTH lessons, ya know.
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I wouldn't be surprised though if this mom will get a notice one day,"such and such, due to your unsatisfactory performance as a main house manager, you are "promoted" to an assisted living facility.
Love this idea, only not quite sure what a credit score entails. Could someone explain? How (or why) would you higher or lower it?
I think this went way too far for the younger kids. I noped out at the name tag thing.
But it's a way for the others to know the child is 'on duty' and to allow them room to do their work. They probably love it - makes them realise what they are doing is important.
Load More Replies...
Yea Mom! When I was in 7th or 8th grade way back when, my father emptied our entire in-ground swimming pool. Large. One of those thousands of beautiful blue pools seen from planes flying over Southern California. My brother and I had alternate weekends previous to the great drain, to vacuum, clean filters and skim leaves and dead bugs off the surface. I even dove repeatedly and found a guests hard contact on the bottom of the deep end after my dad tried to find by vacuuming. Once the pool was empty, looking like a prototype for future skateboard parks, my brother and I were handed a pumice stone. Not like the kind you can buy for porcelain and cruddy toilets. But one of those manicure, fine pumice stones that we maybe 3/8 high by 1/2 to 3/4 wide and 2 to 2.5 long. We defended the steps in the shallow end and spent every weekend and all summer going over every square inch of that pool to remove any possible trace of algae. He must have spent a gazillion dollars on those little stones.
You're a twat. It's better to have entitled little brats that have zero respect? Little monsters that drive drunk and say they didn't know better? Raise shallow humans who expect always to win with little to no effort? Dependent slobs that are still living with their parents a 37 and are sucking their parents retirement dry? Please don't have children.
Load More Replies... I quiet like this, is not about cleaning the area but maintaining the area while reminding other to clean after themselves. This allows the children to feel like the chore wasn’t a chore to start with.
I thought that was particularly good. This is not just about doing a chore and getting money. This is a well thought out plan to create thoughtful, functional adults who understand self reliance and personal responsibility.
Load More Replies... If I asked for an allowance or a new phone, my mother would laugh and then lecture me for a few hours...
Ask and ye shall receive a long and boring lecture. Been there, done that, and said, "Nope" when the 'rents once asked if there was anything I wanted to talk about. It sound too much like a trap ("I'm glad you brought that up, now listen to me, young lady--").
Load More Replies... I think this is great and she is teaching her kids responsibility. A coworker tried to compare the fact that i make my kids pay back money they borrow to the fact that her dad gives her whatever she wants. I gladly pointed out that if i have to get up and work for what I earn I am not just giving away my hard earned money. You borrow it you must pay it back, period. We try and teach my grandchildren the value of money and hard work. Finally got the oldest to realize that it is okay to save up for something special and you dont have to run out and spend every penny the moment you get it.
Why isn't this done is schools? Seriously, why do we spend so much time teaching kids about things they will NEVER use (I'm fairly sure I've never needed to work out the hypotenuse of a triangle without a ruler) and not teaching them real life lessons like this??
When I was in 5th grade, we did something very similar to this! Everyone in the class applied for a job, (teacher's assistant, sweeper, etc.). We were paid fake money which we could use to buy toys, candy, and school supplies at the classroom store, as well as at class auctions where students could bring in their own things to sell. We had to pay taxes and rent for our desks, lockers, cubbies. etc. There was even a class bank where we learned to write checks and deposit money! At one point, our teacher purposely increased the taxes and to an unfair amount to see what we would do, which led to my friend and I starting a "revolution" where a big group of students went on strike from our jobs and refused to pay rent or tax. We all had to sit on the floor and couldn't use our lockers or cubbies. Eventually we made a "constitution", which we all signed and gave to our teacher. This simulation taught me lessons about life that I still use four years later!
Load More Replies... I love this!! I know plenty of people who were either so spoiled they didn't have to butter their own toast or pay their bills and now the parents are annoyed that their still living at home on the parents dime! When/if they do move out they have no respect for anyone or anything and because everything was handed to them they get angry when it isn't! Then I know people that had to work with chores and get jobs at a young age and they are great hard working people!!
I got something similar when I was about 5 years old. If I wanted those toys and video games, I had to save up my own money,. making minimum wage to do any kind of household chore - wash the car, do the dishes, vacuum, etc. I ended up spending all of my money before I reached my goal (enough for a Super Nintendo), and I knew that it was 100% on me; if I want something, I have to work for it and make responsible choices to get it. I grew up being very responsible with my money and I think that has a lot to do with it.
I feel nurturing intrinsic motivation would be far better at creating a strong work ethic for later in life. There are other ways the value of money can be taught. A child doesn't need a strong work ethic, a child doesn't need responsibility. I'm worried for our next generation; todays adults are expecting far too much from them!
This, is true teaching of real life skills in a real-world applicable setting, preparing your kids for what is to come. Well done!
My mother would always put up a chore list every monday of chores plus what I get for doing them. Like 5€ for cleaning the bathroom, 1€ for vacuuming the hallways, 10€ to clean my room. Honestly worked alot more since I could pick and choose and she was just happy for every task I did, no matter how small. Its an idea I myself will use on my children.
these are children, no need to show them the real world. they will get in touch as adults. its a misbelieve to think like this - no need to condition children like this: money & "you are a good child", if you perform.
If I was the child I would love to do this. And no, I'm not an adult. I'm 10.
Load More Replies... I always liked the mom that set out a note for her kids saying "Would you like today's Wifi password? Then clean your room, make your bed and do your homework."
I think this is brilliant. They don’t teach things like this in schools and although it’s the whole teaching responsibility concept, it’s also giving them a taste of what it’s like in the real world. Bravo mom!
Brilliant idea. It makes chores fun for kids, they learn to be responsible for their own actions, they earn money instead of it being handed to them, AND it teaches valuable adult skills (job applications, responsibility, self reliance, etc). Give this mom her own tv show!
This actually sounds really fun! I would gladly do chores like this.
FAST CA$H BY RESELLING DIGITAL PRODUCTS! ONline jobs not working out for you? Affiliate marketing also not cooperating? Try this, quick and easy. NO HIDDEN AGENDA, NO HIDDEN DETAILS! We will give you ALL OF WHAT YOU SEE IN THIS PICTURE, ABSOLUTELY FREE. All you need to do is sign up! Get your free pack today worth $120, absolutely free. DM me for the helpful link
Mewton Turd Paw , here are the things I love about your response. First of all you assume I have kids. Second of all, your the kind of person that thinks that using "big" words makes for an intelligent response. Clearly it doesn't. I speak more eloquently in simplicity than you do in drivel. Thirdly, thanks for quoting me, lmao, yeah I said it you a*s. Quoting someone's argument doesn't make it less right. Fourthly, my bad mental place is having a PhD in medical science that has allowed me to work my dream job. I don't think we'll kind a cure for your obvious disfunction. Lastly, you're not just a twat, you're an infected one.
This reminds me of the 'job market' they did on the Netflix show 'No Good Nick' where they would auction off jobs like taking out the garbage. All the kids put in an offer of what they would like to earn for doing the job and the kids with the lowest bid would get the job.
I think it's both good and bad. They get to learn about responsibilities. But will they start asking for money for everything they do around the house now? Will they understand that sometimes they should offer to help others without expecting anything in returns?
So, if she did not give an allowance, would you assume the kids would think that it is always okay to work hard for no pay? Of course not. How about they can do chores for their allowance AND learn that they can help others without pay?? It IS possible to teach kids BOTH lessons, ya know.
Load More Replies... I wouldn't be surprised though if this mom will get a notice one day,"such and such, due to your unsatisfactory performance as a main house manager, you are "promoted" to an assisted living facility.
Love this idea, only not quite sure what a credit score entails. Could someone explain? How (or why) would you higher or lower it?
I think this went way too far for the younger kids. I noped out at the name tag thing.
But it's a way for the others to know the child is 'on duty' and to allow them room to do their work. They probably love it - makes them realise what they are doing is important.
Load More Replies... Yea Mom! When I was in 7th or 8th grade way back when, my father emptied our entire in-ground swimming pool. Large. One of those thousands of beautiful blue pools seen from planes flying over Southern California. My brother and I had alternate weekends previous to the great drain, to vacuum, clean filters and skim leaves and dead bugs off the surface. I even dove repeatedly and found a guests hard contact on the bottom of the deep end after my dad tried to find by vacuuming. Once the pool was empty, looking like a prototype for future skateboard parks, my brother and I were handed a pumice stone. Not like the kind you can buy for porcelain and cruddy toilets. But one of those manicure, fine pumice stones that we maybe 3/8 high by 1/2 to 3/4 wide and 2 to 2.5 long. We defended the steps in the shallow end and spent every weekend and all summer going over every square inch of that pool to remove any possible trace of algae. He must have spent a gazillion dollars on those little stones.
You're a twat. It's better to have entitled little brats that have zero respect? Little monsters that drive drunk and say they didn't know better? Raise shallow humans who expect always to win with little to no effort? Dependent slobs that are still living with their parents a 37 and are sucking their parents retirement dry? Please don't have children.
Load More Replies...
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