Make a Board for Your Kids
My son decided that not going to school – I don’t know, probably for a long time – during the coronavirus pandemic is actually an opportunity to earn extra money. By the end of the first day of our new reality, he had already earned an extra dollar above his usual rate by folding an incredible pile of towels. “What else can I do to make some money?” he asked, lifting his eyebrows for added effect.
Over the next few days, he asked this question quite often, and I decided that I needed to create a Side Hustle board. As vacancies emerge, I post them to the board along with what pays for each job. Once he’s done the job, he can bring me an ad and I’ll pay:
He currently has a fairly consistent daily routine these days, with blocks of time for reading, games, and academic screen time. This work can be done during breaks, in the evenings, or on weekends. After I introduced him to the sideboard on Sunday afternoon, he shouted “I LIKE” and then headed for the rake.
A few hours later, my yard looked much better, the front steps were swept and a new LEGO Star Wars minifigure was ordered to have his eye on.
Every chore that I post on the board complements his normal weekly responsibilities, so he can choose how much, how little, or what types of side assignments he takes on. For now, it looks like all this dust is still my responsibility; but I plan to use this break in his regular life to teach him how to wash, so maybe I can get him to wash his clothes, as well as the family sheets and towels, before this is all over.