Educator explains why you should not pay a child for household chores

Household chores are not work

Offering a child money for washing dishes and other help around the house is not advisable: self-care should not depend on payment. This is the view of Tatyana Tsvetkova — Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, founder and head of the Creative Center Sfera publishing house, corresponding member of the International Academy of Sciences of Pedagogical Education, and author of books on parenting — her commentary is cited by Gazeta.Ru.

The difference between work and labor

The foundation of financial education, in the expert's view, is understanding exchange: a person performs work and receives money or another reward for it. But labor, unlike work, does not imply monetary reward. These concepts should be distinguished with a child when he already understands the meaning of these words — using accessible examples: work is a paid activity, while labor is an activity for oneself, for one's own development, out of a desire to be of benefit.

The reward is cleanliness and comfort

If a child asks why he has to 'work' when he is asked to wash a plate, an adult should explain that this is not work but labor, and explain the meaning of the action. 'The reward for this is not money, but cleanliness and comfort in the home. A clean plate is the reward. Hygiene, cleanliness, and your health — that is the result of your labor,' Tsvetkova explained. According to her, first of all, parents themselves need to understand that caring for oneself and one's home does not involve payment. Adults also work without monetary reward: for example, a person may share knowledge because they feel the need for it and consider it their duty.

When earning money is appropriate

At the same time, the expert believes that children's desire to earn their own money should be supported. From about the age of 11–12, one can discuss with a child the first opportunities for feasible earning; the choice of activity depends in part on where the family lives. A reason for such a conversation could be the desire to save up for something the child has long dreamed of. 'There is no need to pay a child for household chores. But encouraging him to earn money is quite acceptable. For example, he dreams of a bicycle. Parents can suggest: let's choose one together, and I will add the missing amount to your money. In this way, we foster responsibility and independence in the child and solve the main task of parents: preparing the child for adult life,' Tsvetkova concluded. Earlier, as the publication notes, parents were explained why it is important to allow children to face failures.