Because that's the way the cookie crumbles

Chili over at Don't Try This at Home is hosting a discussion about chores and allowances. In the spirit of things, I'll toss in my two cents worth.

I tend to lean towards the idea that there are certain chores that one must do simply because they must pull their weight in the family. These are things like make your bed, clean your room, put your clean clothes away, pick up your mess in the living room/play room, etc.

Since I am the "stay at home mom", most of the rest of the chores fall under my job description. So if one of the kids goes above and beyond keeping their personal mess under control and crosses over to help me with some of my duties, I've been known to give a bit of pocket change as a reward.

I've tossed around the idea of chore charts, assigned chores, and various and assundry other ideas, but the only thing that has caught on at our house is the "Because I Said So" technique. Here's how it works:

"Bubba, why don't you come unload the dishwasher?"

"How much will you pay me?"

"50 cents"

"Not interested."

"OK. Bubba, you need to come unload the dishwasher. And this time, since you passed on the generous offer of 50 cents, you can do it for free, BECAUSE I SAID SO."