Like all children Charlie thinks money grows on trees. He is always asking when David is paid. Then he will ask David for something and if I say no, I am the bad guy.
With Christmas right around the corner and Charlie turning 12 I thought it was time Charlie learned how to earn the money he is wanting. At first David didn’t agree with me.
I reminded David when he was Charlie’s age he had a job at a Horse Barn and Suzzane was working in a Day Care. For me I didn’t have a job because my parents wouldn’t let me get one.
I had chores I had to do each week as well as help out in my dad’s company. My parents said they would pay us but when it was time to cash our checks they always took them and said we didn’t need money because they bought us everything we needed.
Which I agree with but if I wanted something special or to go somewhere with my friends I couldn’t unless my parents would give me money. Most of the time they wouldn’t so I was stuck at home.
I don’t want that to happen with Charlie. I want him to have his own spending money. While David was at work I knew the yard needed mowed so I let Charlie know if he would mow it I would pay him.
If Charlie does a good job I would write out a letter of reference Charlie could use. I would rent him our Lawn Mower and Rakes and he could see if the neighbors would let him mow there yards.
I reminded Charlie when he was ready to launch his company to start with his grandmother and Aunt. I told Charlie to have a price in mind he wanted to charge and to stand firm.
Charlie and I will be designing fliers he can hand out. Then I will walk around with Charlie to put them on peoples doors because as long as Charlie is willing to try I am willing to help Charlie out.
Do your children have a job or do they do chores for money? Do you have other suggestions for ways’ Charlie can earn extra money this Summer? Did you have a job as a child?
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
