Is it possible to change daily point totals by category?


This question has several variations:

  • Is it possible to change daily point totals by category so one day is different from the next?
  • On some days, I have 3 items, on others 4 or 5 in the same category. Why isn't the point total for each day changing?
  • Can I create a Checklist that gives a point for each item instead of for each category?

This a point that's been hotly debated in our Forum (see the Point Tracking Question topic in our Support Issues Forum for example).

Here's how it currently works:

category-total
Totals apply to the Responsibility Category, regardless of how many Responsibility Items may be in that category. Each day will have the same value, except for days where there are zero items - then it has zero value.

Here's the philosophy behind it.

If one thinks about pay for each item, then you would give one point for each and every thing, and being ready for school (no nagging) would be equal to "water bottle ready for school". That may be what you want, but it does involve making a decision on each and every item. It also has a greater danger of causing children to be more mercenary, making a decision on whether to do each item based on how much it's worth.

We prefer to think about (eg) "your morning responsibilities" as a grouping. Some mornings may be easier, some may be harder, but your child's point is earned for fulfilling all her morning responsibilities.This helps you teach them to think about their "responsibilities" and contribution to the family effort rather than just money for chores.

If you'd really prefer to break things out a little differently (eg to avoid some days having 5 items and others just having one), you can split a Category into two parts (or more) to achieve greater balance.