He Works Hard for the Money

For well over a year now Luc was asking why we went to work every day. We explained to him that we had to go to work to earn coins. These coins we then used to pay to live in our house, buy food to eat, etc. and also to buy things we like and want- like toys. Frederic began bringing change home and giving it to Luc to collect in a jar. He would also use these coins to learn how to count.

When Luc started to realize there were rides and a carousel at the mall and that they cost money to go on, he decided that he'd need to bring his money with him so that he could ride them. So he did. When we told him we'd be going to the mall, he'd say, "I have to bring my coins for the carousel!" And he's been doing that for awhile now. Now his coins have dwindled down to just a few since Frederic started his new job and doesn't make any stops on the way home since his office is much closer.

Now that Luc is watching Nick Jr. instead of Disney Jr., he's seeing a lot of commercials advertising different toys and kid stuff. With every commercial now he says he wants whatever is on the TV. Whenever we go to a store Luc also thinks he can get a toy. I don't want to raise a spoiled kid or a child that thinks money is always readily available. So when he asked for the hundredth time to get the toy that was on TV I told him he would have to save up his own coins to buy it himself (or wait for his Birthday). I then told him we could make a list of chores he could do around the house to help Mommy and Daddy and by doing them he would earn coins each time. Well right then and there he asked to start making a list of things he could do to make money.
And there you go, an almost 4-year old's chore list was created:

-Set the table for Mommy and Daddy at dinner time (putting forks, knives, spoons at our spots)
-Make his bed
-Take his dinner plate to the counter when he's finished eating
-Help unload the dishwasher
-Help Mommy do laundry (putting clothes in washer and dryer, taking clothes out of dryer, matching socks, putting clothes away)
-Help Mommy bring grocery bags inside the house from the trunk of the car (if they're not too heavy)
-Water plants outside
-Dust when Daddy vacuums
-Empty trash cans in bathrooms
-Put books back on the shelf in his bedroom
-Clean the toilets
-Help Daddy wash the cars

I really think a 4 year old needs instant gratification, so instead of giving Luc some money once a week, he will earn a quarter for each chore he finishes. He will then place it in his Chores Jar on the counter. I've also made a chart with each chore to place on the refrigerator to help keep track.