Poll-Do you "Bribe", or pay your kids for grades?

[tobikay]

What do you think, is this right or wrong?

[tobikay]

I had to vote other, here is why...
DS is a smart kid who doesn't like to do homework. Now, he is told he will be in advanced classes next year. Somehow we have to get this homework done b/c it brings down his grades dramatically (he got selected for advanced classes based on standardized test scores). Here is the deal we made with him for the final grading period this year...
--nothing below a "C" gets him the magizine subscription he wants (unfortunately an X-box magizine), cost $25
--all "A's" gets him an X-box 360, cost $350

We have never paid him or bribed him for grades before, this could get expensive (I really don't think he can turn his commitment around enough this quickly for the big deal though)

[dlkurtz673]

We do give our kids things for grades. Sometimes it is money, sometimes it is stuff. Our daughter is smart and motiveated. Our son is super smart, but has ADD. We try to get them to do well my offering them stuff for their efforts. School is their job and we all usually get paid for the jobs we do.

[stephwhiz]

We give our ds money for good grades and since our dd is only in pre-k and doesn't get a report card we give her money for good behavior. They love to go to Build-A-Bear and usually spend their money on that. Stephanie

[soulmom]

we use positive reinforcement for good grades and negative consequences for bad grades. she's been grounded for most of the last semester because of an F, but her progress report came today at it is all A's B's and one C+. if she has that or better on the report card at the end of the year I'm going to buy her a hair straightening iron because she has curly hair that she has decided she hates right now...

[tobikay]

As an update...let's just say that I am not too worried at this point about havint to buy a new video game...

[mama4ever]

We let them know school is their job. Just like adults go to work they have to do their best. Their grades are not that important if they are doing their best. Example, my daughter works very hard for her grades straight A's except for math. Usually border line B or C. My son on the other hand does not put into it all that he can and still gets good grades. So we ride him a little harder. They need to feel acomplished for their work. When they acomplish something special, then we will buy them something special. Such as my daughter getting Best of Show at the Science Fair at her school. Or when my son got 3rd place in the Chess Tourament. It seems to work for us. Each child is different and so is how we need to deal with them.

[angel]

[Madre]

We have given our kids $ on occasion for report cards.

[tobikay]

Just for an update....
Although the final report card was MUCH imporved, alas, no new gaming system (I am very happy for this, we have a hard enough time getting him to get up and move!!). Funniest thing is this...math is his best subject on the "standardized test" and infact, he will be in advanced math next year, yet this is the class that he has consistantly brought home the lowest grades this year, and ultimately the one that kept him from weezleing his way into a game from his dad (probably could have talked daddy out of it if math grade had been a "B").

[soulmom]

my girls final grades came in also, all A's and B's. so she gets to have the flat iron i promised her. at least those only cost $10 or $20. ;)

[love2bmom]

I am not in the report card time with my children as of yet, one is two and the other is 3 months so I have some time before we enter the school years. However, growing up we did earn money for good grades. So much for A's & B's. My parents would then instruct us on how to be responsible with our money. Such as giving 10% for tithe or saving for something special. I know that gave me incentive & also helps teach responsibility!

[Queenofmycastle]

I am not normally one to brag but here goes. Brett is a straight A student! He got the Best All Around Student in his 3rd grade class. From the time he started getting letter grades in 1st grade, dh promised him a video game (not the system) for straight A's. Well we have bought alot of them. Dh just laughs it off and says its money well spent!

Oh Well!
Alicia

[crys]

The letter grades are important to the kids and show each where he/she stands. That's enough for them to be worth while. The percentage mark and the comments show us (parents) more what is going on. They also give us an "in" so we can talk things over with each of them.

If they are not doing their best work, we often cut back on the activities and make sure they have the tools they need (privacy, organized books). If they are doing their best and the attitudes are right, they retain access to the finer things in life, like visits with friends, family movie night and telephone.

Most importantly, report cards give us a chance to show the kids where they shine (maybe not in school!) and talk about the plan God has for them.