Capitalism is insidious

This past week we have instigated pocket money for the nearly 5 yr old. This was largely triggered by my inability/unwillingness to do much housework, and specifically any vacuuming. I really can't vacuum, 5 minutes of it leaves me with a very sore back for 2 days. Crash is very averse to it, but has been doing some. He decided that the best way to vacuum the wooden stairs was with a dustbuster, so I duly purchased one. He then decided an even better way was to get the kid to do it with the dustbuster, so he offered pocket money.

We eventually settled the terms at $4 per week in exchange for at least one stair vacuum, 5 minute cleanup done each day without whinging and other requested assistance, also sans whinging. Continued whinging after suitable warning results in 50 cent penalty. This week of course, novelty has overruled and we have had a super helpful child who has volunteered to do all sorts of things and got his $4 on Friday afternoon.

The first drama was that he felt he had been duped, as he was give 2 x $2 coins, not 4 coins as he expected...

Then last night we were discussing what $4 might be able to purchase, and after some consideration he asked "but what if I need to borrow some more off you?"!!! After Crash's hysterics died down, we pointed out that children have to save, not borrow.

Sheesh, $208 annual income and he wants to know what his borrowing capacity is!

And now, I have to get the family ready for church. Yes, church. Ben is singing (using that term in the broadest possible sense) with the pre-school and we must, of course, be there. I am simply not considering how the 2 yr old is going to behave, although we will take some toy vehicles. Better get underway. *Shudder*.