I am a firm believer that as parents, we are charged with preparing our children for the future. With that in mind, it makes little sense to treat them in a way that is completely contrary to real life. For example, you have a sassy kid that does not want to do chores. Let’s picture how that will play out when they get their first job. If they show up sassy and unwilling to do what is expected of them…well…how long do you picture that job lasting. 5 whole minutes you say? No…even less! So why are we different as parents? Why do they do that and still get “paid?” It is not kind to still offer them unconditional currency because it instills a rather warped view of the world. One of the kindest things you will ever do for your child, is allow them to learn about the world, how to function socially and productively, amongst those who LOVE them unconditionally! Here is a great intro into currency for your children. 
SUPPLIES:
- Print, cut out individual bucks (mommy, daddy, grandparent, etc…)
- Print out a menu of ways to earn bucks
- Print out the your menu of privileges, including what they will cost
- Frames, tape, and or tacks for hanging up your menus
- Envelopes to hide and store your bucks
- Shoebox, decorated by your child, as their “piggy bank”
This is pretty self-explanatory. Allow your child to start earning. Be gracious, seeking out opportunities to offer them bucks. Do not hand out bucks upon request. “Mom, look, I cleaned my room now give me my bucks!” We are not trying to teach them entitlement so they should be awarded bucks based on your observations, and not their requests. They may be frustrated but they will learn quickly to show you their clean room, without asking for you to give them something in return. If they are a dollar short, they cannot cash in. If it won’t work in the real world, it shouldn’t work with you. This training is great for both you AND your child. When you get in the practice of seeking out the good things they do, with praise and acclamation, it will help you to view parenting and discipline in a positive light. It will teach your child how lovely positive attention is so they will focus on what is right and good. It will instill a realistic view of what the rest of the world will expect from them.
Feel free to use this print out and to alter it as you need (Daddy Bucks, Papa Bucks, Nanny Bucks, etc…)
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Parent Blessing 
Reader’s Response offers an excellent question
“I love the idea although I have a reservation about doing it like this… I don’t think charging mommy bucks to do something with mommy like go for a walk or read a book is right… Shouldn’t mommy’s be doing these things with their babies just because- just as they should be doing things like cleaning their rooms, just because? I think I would alter the store and make it so my child can earn something special like a treat or toy… Thoughts?”
My reply
“Well it doesn’t mean you cannot still do those things. It is more of making some of those times a little more lucrative! The earned walk is sometimes more fun than the everyday walk. The earned snuggle and a book can feel like a prize! It is less of a “withholding” the regular activities, and more of a enhancement of some of your regular activities. Keep doing the lovey mommy stuff!! Never give that up. It is funny though how simply doing some of the things you already do can really modify behavior. Once it is on a chart or paper, it just seems a little more interesting. Does that make sense?”
Reader’s Reply
“It definitely does! You make a really good point about regular activities meaning more when they are earned… I hadn’t thought of it like that! I am really glad you added me to this group because I always have these kinds of questions!”
My reply
“Yeah. Still go for the regular walk and the regular reading time, etc… Just chart them too so your little bit can achieve getting more of it! This is basically the difference between discipline and punishment. You are trying to show how rewarding doing typical positive behavior can be. It has worked really well with my kids. I always chuckle when we redo, what we just did because they loved it and wanted to earn more! There is some real life truth there too in that, if they are pleasant to others, others will want to be closer to them. If only the world was a unconditional as us mommies! ha ha”
Another Reader’s reply
“We actually tried this before and it worked great! We always laughed that their favorites were reading a book (we read at least 10 a day) and go for a walk (we were talking a daily family walk at that time). Spending earned money is just fun We did include “hugs…FREE” on our menu, too.”
It is so great to see what others are doing so you can tweak ideas that best suit your family!