> we tried allowances before then but dropped it because it was tied to doing work around the house which we felt they should do anyway Glad you mentioned this

> we tried allowances before then but dropped it because it was tied to doing work around the house which we felt they should do anyway Glad you mentioned this one too because this is something I was thinking about too. We tried to strike a balance where the kids don't have a regular allowance for normal around the house chores, but pay them for "projects" that are sort of above and beyond the normal course of chores. This would be things like helping put in a new flower bed, or re-arranging the living room.