Motivation is a funny thing

Yesterday I had the unhappy situation of a major project due at 6 pm which I had yet to finish, on top of an annual "unit inspection" on our apartment (which was in the usual chaotic state that has become our new normal since I started taking more than one class per semester).

So I decided that I would motivate the kids to help out with the housework that needed doing. I wrote up a list of chores and an amount of money I'd pay for someone to do each chore. As an added incentive, I explained that if all the chores were finished by 8 pm (the time of our inspection), I'd order pizza and *also* take them out one night soon to a restaurant of their choice. (Yes -- I was really desperate to get the house tidy.)

Megan was very excited by the list and immediately started to count up her future earnings. Calum, on the other hand, looked at it and asked, "Do we *have* to do this stuff?"

"No, but I'd really appreciate it if you would help out."

"Mmm. I don't really need any money. I've saved up more than fifty dollars of my allowance." With this comment, he returned to the Wii and continued playing Super Mario Galaxy.

It hadn't occurred to me that money would not be an effective motivator for him, but clearly he wasn't all that impressed by the promise of some extra cash. I tried asking him what things he'd like to have, that he could buy with the money he earned. "Mmm, I dunno, nothing really."

Finally I suggested that he could earn ten dollars, which would be his admission to the indoor playground out in Coquitlam. Suddenly he jumped out of his chair and, after carefully reading the list, decided to clean the toilet and mop the bathroom floor.

Go figure.

Jeff and I just got back from taking him to the playground. He loved it - spent two full hours climbing and racing around, and only felt ready to leave when he was just too hungry to stay there any more. It's kind of nice to see that he feels more excited by the idea of a fun experience than by material gain... but geez, that place is LOUD.