Thursday, June 16, 2011

Can I have a refund please?

Just over a week ago, kiddo go it in her head that she needs her own money, to "buy stuff, just because". She came to husband and I with a proposition, she would make her bed, dump the recycling and fill the water jug daily in exchange for $5 a week. She even wrote up a contract for us to sign, and put in a clause - in the event of her needing extra cash she would do additional chores at pre-set amounts up to but not exceeding $20 a week.

Wash dishes - $1
Empty dishwasher - $1
Dump compost bin - $5 (because its gross)
Vacuum - $1 per room
Cook omelets - $1 each (its the only thing she can cook unassisted)
Carry clothes to laundry room - $1

With labour that cheap, how could I refuse? So I signed her contract.

She has been doing her chores, without reminding and marking them off her checklist. This morning, husband goes in to wake her and finds her sleeping on top of her covers wrapped in a spare blanket. Turns out the sneaky little bug hasn't been under her blankets in a week so she doesn't have to make the bed, she just used the spare blanket and tosses it in her closet when she wakes up!

When she gets home from school I'm asking for a refund!

15 comments:

  1. Smart little cookie...tell her she has to wash the blanket if she isn't going to make her bed.

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  2. Haha, she's a smart (and sneaky) girl! Isn't that a breach of contract, since she's not actually "making" the bed every morning :) She owes you that refund (or extra chores done for free to make up for what she's earned by not making that bed!) ☺

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  3. Sometimes, we can be so sharp we cut ourselves. I'd ask for money back since that's the important part of the contract - to her.

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  4. What a little entrepreneur. I think she deserves the money for her creativity and for sacrificing a bit of comfort. But don't listen to me. I'm a softy non-parent.
    xoRobyn

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  5. Yeah, a refund is correct for not actually making the bed.

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  6. But, but, but... the bed IS made every day. She didn't say, in the contract, how that would be accomplished, just that it would be made. Kudos for her ingenuity! She's a very clever kid!

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  7. LOL! I'm LOVING it!!

    Look out, Wall Street, I sense thunder on the horizon.

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  8. You've got give her an "A" for ingenuity!

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  9. She deserves some slack since she has been so industrious. I'm a big believer in kids learning to pay their own way. And you can't beat those prices.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

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  10. She deserves an extra dollar for creativity! :))

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  11. Oh my, that is funny! Very clever girl. I'm not quite sure what I'd do in your situation. Luckily, my oldest just turned 6 a couple months ago, so I have a bit of time, but he's quite cheeky and clever, as well, so I'm sure I'll have my share of these little dilemmas. I'm intrigued at how it went when she discovered she was busted, though.

    Tina @ Life is Good
    and I are joining forces in another challenge. We're going to visit and comment at each of the participants, starting with the reflections post. We hope you'll join us!

    Shannon @ The Warrior Muse

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  12. LOL That's brilliant! I admire her ingenuity. She's learning to cut expenses for an increased profit margin. Oh man, did I just use the phrase increased profit margin? Ugh! Business jargon stay out of my head. :)

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