report card rewards?

**Sara Noel** · 10-12-2010, 10:33 AM

My oldest son brought home his report card (well mid term report). He did well. Sometimes we give them a small gift and we've taken them to the movies or they can have a meal or activity of choice. Just a mini celebration where mom gets to do the report card dance and be silly (but happy, supportive and encouraging, too)

When I was a kid, I got money for good report cards. I didn't follow this idea with my own kids, but don't have any solid negative opinions on it.

What types of things do you do to reward your child(ren) for report cards?

Please only comment if you give rewards.

**frugalwarrior2** · 10-12-2010, 11:30 AM

Because my kids have LD/ADD/ADHD learning and consistancy is hard but they love cash.
A=$5.
B=$3.
C=$2.
other grades get all the money taken. I always made sure I whined and complained about all my money going to them. They loved that. When they were little I would hold up the last quater and pretend to cry I was broke. My kids would "snatch it ,laugh and run. Then all week I would try and bum a coke or burger. Oh course they would laugh and say MINE. They loved the Power of it.
The video store gives free rentals for A's too.

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-12-2010, 11:41 AM

It's been a long time since I saw a report card worth rewarding, but we used to go out for dinner to celebrate a good one. I didn't like to give tangible gifts because she already had way too much stuff.

**heartofmine** · 10-12-2010, 11:48 AM

I never gave cash but their grandparents, aunt and an uncle did. I always expected my kids to work hard in school and encouraged them to. I worked with them with homework, studying for tests, whatever they needed. Went to every teacher/parent conference, volunteered constantly. I gave them my time instead of money I just simply didn't have.

They are all grown up now and my son graduated in May from college with his Bachelor's in Accounting and is now back working on his Master's degree in Business. He's 22. He won an assistantship and works 20 hours a week at the college...10 with a professor and 10 with a blind student....plus he's doing 4 classes of his own each semester.

My daughter is in her last year of college and will graduate next May with her Bachelor's. She just turned 24. She'll be teaching high school. She's going to work on her Master's after she gets a job.

Both will graduate completely debt free because of scholarships and grants and assistantships. It pays to work hard for good grades.

**Darlene** · 10-12-2010, 12:20 PM

Trip to the bookstore to pick out a new book was a fave treat. Knowing him, he'd love that

Trip for ice cream with the works...
Congrats Z!

**shoiji** · 10-12-2010, 12:50 PM

Basically my parents would look at the report card and tell me I did well. Math was not my strongest subject. Apparently the same was true with my parents so as long as I passed that was good. Seriously they would always say oh don't worry I was never good with math.

A couple of times I do remember my parents taking my sister and I out to dinner because we had good report cards. I always wondered about receiving money for good grades. Really do not know if it would have given me more incentive to do better in school. I was basically an A-B student, except in math!!!

I do think it is important to be interested in your childs school work and to encourage them as much as possible.

**dancemommy** · 10-12-2010, 02:33 PM

Our kids have had straight A's their entire school career. We don't reward good grades, but we EXPECT them to do their best and the kids follow through with that. We do make sure they know that we are very proud of them and of their achievements, but no rewards per se. We don't do allowances either for that matter. The kids live in our house and are expected to participate in its upkeep. Our kids do earn money for babysitting, mowing the lawn, etc. Things outside of normal chores.

**momof2boys2005** · 10-12-2010, 02:55 PM

I did not do cash rewards with DS#1 more because of the fact that I was a very young mom still in school myself so there were few extra pennies kicking around to give for something like grades over not agreeing with paying $ for good grades KWIM....

So back in the day with DS#1 a good report card or positive jumps in progress gave him a coupon for a "themed sleepover" with 2 friends. Now many of you are probably thinking that a sleepover isn't a treat but the extra friend and throwing in the theme made it very special!

I will do the same with DS#2...haven't yet because in my area sleepovers do not happen at his age unless the families are close.

**Neeley** · 10-12-2010, 03:34 PM

While good grades are expected we still pay for good grades as a reward. School is their job. DH gets rewarded for a job well done by receiving a salary and keeping his job. He would be punished if he did not perform up to par. We follow the same idea when it comes to the kids and school.

Here are our stipulations:
*All A's = $20
*A's and B's = $10
*When they were younger and grades were given for effort and conduct, all A's were expected. Receiving a B or below in either of these areas was unacceptable.
*If there is a C on the report card no money is paid and punishment/restrictions are given - like no video games, no phone, no going out until the next report card comes home. We never had to cross this bridge, but they knew up front what to expect if their report card had a C or below on it.
*If at the end of the year all A's were maintained then an additional $100 is given.

With the ACT and/or SAT: When it is taken we also offer cash incentives. If they made a 30 to 31 = $100, 32 = $200 and a 33 or higher = $300.

Our way has worked beautifully for us. Both kids are all A students. DD will graduate this year as Valedictorian (her graduating class has 600 students) with a 4.5 GPA. Based on her GPA, ACT scores, being Student Government President, and Valedictorian she has been offered a full ride at a couple of colleges/universities. DS is only in 9th grade, but is following in his sister's footsteps.

*ETA: We know DD is Valedictorian already because the school has already informed us there is no student in striking distance of her. The closest is another child who has a 3.97, but is not taking any AP or weighted classes so he has no chance to get above a 4.0. All she has to do is maintain her grades through this semester and she is set. She's taking AP Chemistry, Pre-AP Calculus, AP Literature, AP Economics, AP Government, Music Appreciation (all except Music are weighted)and acing them all.

**savvy_sniper** · 10-12-2010, 03:43 PM

We were expected to make good grades; so we didn't get presents. BUT if you made bad grades, you were punished in some way - grounded mostly.

I got a D in History in the 5th grade (transferred to an excelerated class middle of school year) and a D in the 1st semester of Spanish II (took 3 years in junior high so got to skip Spanish I in high school). I remember being grounded both times TO THIS DAY!

**haney** · 11-22-2010, 07:43 PM

My parents gave me a dollar for each A, I remember being very happy near the end of the grading period.

**flashyMcGee** · 11-25-2010, 01:05 PM

I reward my students with the school money and certificates.

**mslolsalot** · 11-25-2010, 04:06 PM

I took the boys for supper and ice cream as a reward for good reports cards. Nothing big, but it made them feel good. If they show improvement I will buy them each a gift (usually a toy or game) of their choice at the end of the year.

**druthb00** · 11-26-2010, 07:35 AM

My parents gave us money for good grades. A's we got $3 or $4 for, B's were $2 or $3. I don't really remember quite honestly. I do know they also took us out to dinner at the end of the grading period for good grades also. Usually Red Lobster.