wish we had a picture...

Yesterday, we were doing lots and lots of yard work while Mercer was napping.  He woke up and came out to see us in the back yard.  We were moving tree limbs and he wanted to help.

I had gloves on and told him that he needed gloves too.  He went inside without prompting.  A minute later, he comes out with my leather driving gloves on:  they're too big and they're flopping off of his hands.  He dug through a drawer with winter accessories.  He also found a fuzzy chenille scarf and put it on.  He said he "needed" it to work.

The rest of the picture: M was wearing little short short PJ's with a monster truck on his tummy and his Crocs on the wrong feet.  He helped drag some limbs to the curb with his floppy black gloves.  (Yes - with one of the neighbors walking by & commenting on his attire.) Mercer also helped sweep up the leaves on the driveway after we were done moving the limbs.  

He offered his unsolicited help... and in return, Todd gave him a dollar for helping us out: an allowance.

We have been using a penny chart to earn and take away pennies for behavior in which he gets a toy at the end of earning 50 or 100 pennies (depending on the value of the toy).  But this was the first time that that he learned he could help us out and earn money.

Todd mentioned that he could save his money and buy a toy that he wanted.  He started rattling off a number of LEGO toys... and landed on one particular series that he was interested in.  He and Todd started looking up the toys to see how much they cost and established a goal for what he would save for. 

Mercer and I counted out the dollars and coins in his piggy bank.  He's about $4 shy of the toy he wants, which isn't too far off, but is a good lesson in saving!

I started looking at websites tonight about do we / don't we reward chores with money?  There's no right or wrong so it seems... just some consensus on IF an allowance is given -- to also instill some level of responsibility that is not rewarded with money.

Wow.  4 years old & starting chores?!  Learning money management?!  who knew!!