Before it starts: The thing with pocket money
Have you ever talked to other parents about rewards or punishments for good or bad grades? Then you've probably noticed quickly how different the opinions are. Educators are also divided on the issue. Almost everyone agrees on just one thing: The rewards for good grades should take place completely independently of regular pocket money.
Why is that so?
Pocket money is the monthly income of your son or daughter. It is not only for fun, but above all to raise money. After all, there comes a time when they no longer sit at your table to eat. And until then, they must learn how to allocate their money, how to save and what the money is actually worth.
This money education must not be jeopardised by good or poor grades at school. After all, in the worst case, it would mean that the wallet remains empty if the notes don't fit. And how are they supposed to learn how to handle money if no one is there?
By the way: Many parents also agree on this point, at least. A survey by Kantar Emnid As a result, 60% of parents are of the opinion that pocket money should always be the same — no matter how much the grades are.
When asked about rewards for good grades, it should therefore never be about monthly pocket money, but only about one-off benefits.
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Pro: That speaks for rewards for good grades
Okay, so the fixed monthly allowance remains unaffected by your kids' academic performance. But what about a small or big reward for good grades? What is the case for this?
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Motivation for grouchy learners
Some kids find learning incredibly difficult. A small amount of money is welcome Extra motivationto cancel the meeting with friends for an additional study session.
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Rewards prepare you for work
In many professions, performance-based bonuses are completely normal — some salaries even consist almost exclusively of commissions. Anyone who doesn't deliver there will be nothing wrong.
In this regard, rewards for good grades prepare your kids for the pressure to perform later in their working life.
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Clever systems possible
Just a sign of a good report card? Sure it works, but it also gets better.
The reward is more effective if you negotiate goals beforehand — namely individually for each of your kids. Your son doesn't like math at all? Then he gets a small reward for just 3. Your daughter is an ace at math but bad at German? Then it's the same with her: There is a small bonus for a 3 in German.
In this way, your kids are individually supported according to their talents, instead of rewarding them in general — or, conversely, punishing them because a 1 seems unattainable for them.
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Cons: That's against money for good grades
Does that all sound like a good way to get better grades so far? Before you decide: There are of course also some counter-arguments that you should consider:
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Double punishment for poor grades
Do you still remember the feeling when you opened your exam book and found a “sufficient” or even “deficient” or “insufficient” in it? Terrible, isn't it? And then it was time for you to go home, where you racked your brains about how your parents would react.
A bad grade itself is a punishment — after all, children are more likely to be praised than reprimanded. And your kids want to make you proud. Your disappointed face when you flip through the notebook with the bad grade goes one step further. The feeling that extra pocket money has gone through their rags is not exactly encouraging.
Kids, who are hard at getting themselves up to study anyway, then quickly hang their heads down. That's when they really don't want to learn anymore.
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Money is no substitute for your recognition
Yeah, it's finally here: the good grade. Your child comes home in a party mood and is already looking forward to taking on the role of the hero. And rightly so. This is not enough with a banknote, it requires great praise and personal recognition. When rewarded with money, this is quickly forgotten — on both sides.
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Results-oriented rather than performance-oriented
With a reward for good grades, you reward the result, not the journey there. Admittedly, this is often the case in life — after all, it is also the result that counts.
However, this can be the completely wrong approach in your child's development. Especially when your kids simply find it incredibly difficult to learn, this quickly leads to disappointment. After all, they worked for days and even decided against a cheat sheet — yet there was only a third and as punishment for all their work, they also come out empty-handed.
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Material thinking
What was it like with “you learn for life, not for school” and “Money alone doesn't make you happy”?
The fiver for the long-awaited 1+ in math should be a little extra. It shouldn't be the only reason why your son or daughter would rather sit at a desk than meet up with friends. When rewarding with money, always make sure to keep an eye on the big picture.
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Dispute between siblings
Rewarding siblings with good grades can create a bad mood. Especially when one of them is doing better at school than the other — and may even have to do less for it.
The child with lower grades already feels bad because he can't keep up with his brother or sister. At the party after the certificate has been awarded, it just stands sad while the other child is being celebrated.
If, in addition, only one of the two receives a reward, it fuels the bad mood.
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Conclusion: Find your way!
There is a lot to be said for and much against — what is the ideal solution?
You probably already know it: There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” approach to financial rewards for good grades. There is only one thing that helps: Try it out.
You yourself know your child best. Is it motivated even without a reward? Or does it always take a small nudge from outside to achieve something? Is it saving up on a new cell phone and could really use a small reward? Or is it already overwhelmed when it comes to dealing with monthly pocket money? And what is the relationship between siblings?
It is best to work out the right solution together. Discuss with your kids what really motivates them. Is it really money or is it better to visit the amusement park together? You'll be surprised what their wishes and motivations are!
By the way: If you agree on an amount of money as a reward for good grades, you can easily do that via the Bling Card manage.
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