I've raised three children and never paid for good grades. My parents didn't believe in that approach either. We always believed in them learning to do things on their own initiative.
OK. I can agree with ths part.This is a drastic step and obviously not for everyone...
The overall concept sounds good. It encourages them to hand in things that are half done instead of handing in nothing. I didn't realize it until I started working, but that's exactly how the real world works. I swear to god most people are absolutely terrible at what they do, but they never get fired for it. Showing up and doing a piss poor job can keep a person employed for decades, but not showing up will get a person fired very quickly. It's better to learn that lesson as early as possible. Handing stuff in, even if it's terrible, is very important.-$ for any not handed in
I had a weekly allowance and I got paid for good grades, but I had to buy all of my own toys. In the end, it keeps everyone happy. My parents never complained about how expensive and overpriced plastic toys are. It's my money being wasted, so it didn't bother them. I'm still very good at handling money because I've been doing it since I was 5.They are both very smart. Both fully capable of all A's. But the workload is definitely more than what they were used to in elementary school. Also, they have things they want and this gives them the opportunity to buy these things instead of just asking/begging for them and this starts to teach them the value of money.
Probably. It's much much easier to learn the material than it is to memorize the material. I always had awesome grades in math and science, and I never studied. Show up to class, paraphrase what the teacher is saying, do the assignments, understand the material. That's it. If you learn things, you'll never need to remember things. I felt bad for the kids who didn't want to learn it. To get the same grades as me, they had to rewrite all of their notes, make stupid flash cards, make songs out of the course material, etc. They earned those good grades, but it seems like they did it the hardest way imaginable.Paying for grades might make them get better grades, but are they really learning anything more?
Very interesting idea, thanks. I'll have to think about it & discuss with my W. But first I have to figure out how much we spend on them now - I'll probably be in for a shock.Now, as for money, I'll tell you something that changed my life. I heard a story, read it, saw it, can't remember, of a man with 3 sons around high school age. They were so flippant about money that he decided to figure out how much he spent on them each year. Then, the next January 1, he sat them all down. Each had a stack of cash in front of them. He told them that this was how much money he spent on each of them, each year - video games, clothes, nights out, high school events, everything. He said 'I'm giving you this money today. You're going to learn how to manage your own money. This will have to last you until December 31. Mom and I WILL NOT RESCUE YOU. No matter what. Figure out how to use it wisely, or you'll have a bad year.
One kid blew threw it in a couple months and was MISERABLE for the rest of the year, had to beg and borrow from the other kids or friends, for everything. The next year, he learned a little better, and the next year, and the next.
One kid did a pretty good job and ran out of money around November. The other one sat down and worked a budget, stuck to it, decided he didn't want to spend money on some of the things he used to, and ended up with a savings account.
Each year, they got better and better about handling money. He said that, at the time of the interview, all 3 had paid their own way through college, all had professional jobs, and owned their own homes.
I started my DD22 on that when she was about 12. Not completely his way, but I gave her a monthly allowance and told her I wouldn't cover anything for her. She learned really quickly what she didn't really need. Today, she will barely spend money on a snack between classes and will plan out her day instead to avoid needing to, she's so good at it.
Personally, I'd get to the bottom of why that one child isn't turning his assignments in. What's going on with him? Why did he think it was ok to blow off the assignments?Honestly, I was never a big fan of this. I always told them "knowledge is its own reward". But I'm trying a new tact. My twin boys just started Jr. High. It is a big adjustment. Great thing is the teachers email us progress reports every 2 weeks. This last set was a big disappointment to me for one of them. This was mostly due to a bunch of assignments not turned in.
So I made them a deal. So much for an "A", less for a "B", $0 for a C, -$ for a D. F's aren't even an option. But -$ for any not handed in equal to what I'm giving them for an A. This is only for report cards, not the every 2 weeks progress emails (I'd go broke).
They are both very smart. Both fully capable of all A's. But the workload is definitely more than what they were used to in elementary school. Also, they have things they want and this gives them the opportunity to buy these things instead of just asking/begging for them and this starts to teach them the value of money.
Any thoughts? Criticisms? Alternatives?
This is almost identical to what we do. The only difference is 0 also for D and - if there is an F. F's aren't really an option in my eyes either but that don't mean it won't happen. The subtraction of money from their report card reward is only 1 of the negatives that would result from an F.Honestly, I was never a big fan of this. I always told them "knowledge is its own reward". But I'm trying a new tact. My twin boys just started Jr. High. It is a big adjustment. Great thing is the teachers email us progress reports every 2 weeks. This last set was a big disappointment to me for one of them. This was mostly due to a bunch of assignments not turned in.
So I made them a deal. So much for an "A", less for a "B", $0 for a C, -$ for a D. F's aren't even an option. But -$ for any not handed in equal to what I'm giving them for an A. This is only for report cards, not the every 2 weeks progress emails (I'd go broke).
They are both very smart. Both fully capable of all A's. But the workload is definitely more than what they were used to in elementary school. Also, they have things they want and this gives them the opportunity to buy these things instead of just asking/begging for them and this starts to teach them the value of money.
Any thoughts? Criticisms? Alternatives?