Clean Up Time and Allowances

We had recently redecorated the boys' room by adding loft beds. We had to take down all the pictures while doing this and it was time to put them back up.  After all, Grandpa and Oma are coming.. gotta make the place look good and get things organized. 

I know I'm a tad picky but when it comes to the bedroom I think the floor should be clear, the closet doors should be able to open and close fully, clean clothes should be put AWAY and I want the damned drawers on the dressers CLOSED. Their room was a disaster and I went into mom-mode and started picking up--shortly after that I started cursing to myself. 

Why can't they put their $%#@ dirty underwear in the hamper?  It doesn't even have a top for $#%@ sake!

Oh my god don't tell me that he left that cup on the floor again.. how many times do I have to tell him that's nasty and put it AWAY?

Is that food?  Oh no they di-n't!

So then, I cleared away my son's desk  and saw the pile of quarters.  The quarters were right beside the small bank we got from TD Bank.  (Of course, beside the bank, just like the dirty socks are beside the hamper)  I looked at the bank and sat it right side up and noticed that the bottom plug was missing.  I looked around and that's when it hit me.  Screw it--keep the money

I give my boys an allowance. Everyone has their own way of handling this issue but in our house we give allowance every week no matter who did what.  You are sharing in the household money and it's not based on performance. They use their money to buy what they want--I take care of all their "needs" and they can use their money for the extra stuff.  Want another Bakugan?  Sure, got any money?  Want a new baseball?  Why not.  Got any money?  The whining stops pretty short when they realize they can't pay for what they want.

I never pay when I ask the kids to do something for me--ever.  I don't want to see their hand out every time I ask for something.  And while there are arguments to/from; I personally don't think the world works that way anyway.  Plenty of people get paid to do absolutely nothing.  The 7 guys at the highway department standing around while 2 power washed the roads in Potsdam, NY last week comes to mind.  But, I digress.

But I have a plan.  Every time I have to make your bed you will PAY ME 50 cents.  Every time I have to put your laundry in the hamper you will PAY ME 25 cents.  Every time I have to do your laundry, put your clothes away, or clear your floor, you will pay me 25 cents per infraction.

I can't wait to tell the boys about my new great idea.