A new report from Greenlight reveals some parents are evolving their traditional chore lists to promote self-care. Experts express concern that financially rewarding kids for these self-care activities, like reading and exercise, may distort the understanding of intrinsic motivation. Instead, families can still instill skills and responsibility by using allowances separately and offering praise or privileges as encouragement.
A noteworthy transformation is taking place in family chore dynamics.
No longer limited to tasks like cleaning rooms or washing dishes, the concept of chores is evolving.
Parents are reconsidering what chores really entail in modern homes.
Recent research from Greenlight, a debit card and financial app aimed at kids, indicates that a segment of parents is now incorporating self-care activities, such as reading and exercise, into their kids’ chores.
While traditional tasks remain prevalent, there’s a budding inclusion of self-development activities that some families are embracing.
Despite this positive shift, experts raise alarms.
They urge parents to explore alternative methods for teaching children how to manage their finances and prioritize self-care.
What the New Study on Chores Reveals
According to Greenlight’s findings, children engaged in around 73 million chores in 2025, with families distributing a total of $242 million in allowances throughout the year.
Among self-care chores, reading emerged as the most frequent activity, comprising about 7% of all chores, with approximately 4.9 million reading-related chores fulfilled in 2025.
In addition, around 40,000 children participated in chores related to physical activity, music practice, and language acquisition, culminating in a combined total of 1.6 million such chores completed during the same year.
This shift operates within a context of increasing allowances and evolving parental priorities.
On average, U.S. children currently receive monthly allowances amounting to approximately $52, which exceeds what their parents earned at the same age by about $36 when adjusted for inflation.
This trend, more than just financial support, represents a broader commitment to fostering children’s independence and personal growth while transforming daily routines into chances for development and reward.
Why Experts Worry About This Trend
Anne Josephson, PsyD, MSEd, a licensed psychologist, emphasizes the significance of teaching children the importance of money, which will serve them throughout their lives.
However, compensating children for self-care tasks may inadvertently create confusion by reinforcing external motivation for activities where intrinsic motivation is crucial, particularly with reading.
“Reading offers an enriching experience, allowing children to learn about others and escape their everyday lives,” she notes.
It is often one of the first skills children master in their educational journey, which should ideally inspire a lifelong love of reading.
When financial incentives are introduced, children may start associating reading more with making money rather than with the joy of reading itself.
Some parents may believe that the initial monetary motivation will eventually lead to habitual behavior.
However, Emily Bly, PhD, CEO and clinical director at Psychology Partners Group, cautions that this approach might send mixed signals.
“As a parent, my concern is that by monetizing activities such as mindfulness and meditation, we risk teaching children that these worthwhile activities are mere chores,” adds Dr. Bly.
She also highlights that rewarding children for daily routines like reading or brushing their teeth can imply these behaviors are only acceptable when incentivized.
Emma Basch, PsyD, a clinical psychologist, supports this viewpoint, expressing fears that linking self-care with financial rewards might dilute its importance.
It may prevent children from realizing that self-care is not just a transaction but an essential aspect of self-respect and personal well-being.
Parents may be unintentionally steering the conversation away from self-improvement achieved for personal fulfillment.
“We should aspire to raise children capable of enduring discomfort while also understanding their agency in improving their feelings, where taking the necessary steps to feel better provides its own rewards,” states Dr. Bly.
Compensating children for self-care complicates this understanding.
Dr. Josephson notes that very few adults find enjoyment in routines such as exercising, despite the benefits.
This leads to a crucial question: if monetary rewards were eliminated, would kids still pursue these behaviors willingly?
Should Kids Be Paid for Chores?
The decision on whether to pay kids for chores largely depends on personal family values.
However, strong arguments exist against this practice.
“Monetary compensation diminishes intrinsic motivation for completing tasks and may suggest that household contributions are merely paid labor rather than a shared family commitment,” argues Dr. Basch.
Additionally, various methods exist to teach children about financial accountability, as noted by Dr. Basch.
“A weekly allowance paired with discussions surrounding saving and spending practices fosters a deeper understanding of financial literacy,” Dr. Basch explains.
Similarly, Dr. Josephson highlights alternative means to encourage children to engage in self-care without financial incentives.
This can include specific praise, access to privileges (like movie choices or extended bedtime), or offering a reprieve from obligations that are not significant.
It’s essential to remember that a motivator truly connects with a child only when it is appealing to them.
“Children could also earn small incentives, such as earning checkmarks on a chart for daily reading, which can later be exchanged for a treat or toy,” Dr. Josephson suggests, noting that this method creates a level of distance from direct financial gain while still bringing in a reward.
