It's just not fair! Nobody pays you for hoovering, so why should you pay your children?

But perhaps they'll help out more with a little incentive... and perhaps you deserve a lie-in while they wash the car.

Learn to earn

It helps if you make a list of regular chores that need to be done. Decide which tasks should be done without payment and which you're prepared to pay for. If your children need to earn extra money, there are numerous jobs they could do, from washing the car to cleaning the windows or defrosting the fridge. Paying your children for certain jobs helps them learn about working for money.

Agree a fee up front
If you are paying your child to do a chore, talk about the job and what it's worth. Agree the amount beforehand. Agree the standard you expect, e.g. cleaning the car may mean inside as well as out, polished as well as washed. Discussing this up-front prevents arguments later. When the job is done, pay up promptly.

Quality control
If you are going to part with your money, make sure the task has been completed properly. Psychologists tell us that this helps children learn about doing quality work rather than clock-watching. If your children complete a job particularly well, reward them with a little bonus.

Disclaimer While every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy at time of publication, this information may be subject to change. Always consult your financial advisor.

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