Boy One is sitting his prelims at the moment. He tells me he's worked hard and feels "enough nervous but not OMG nervous".
We've talked about planning his studies and preparing for the tests. Or rather, I've talked about it and he's sighed and rolled his eyes.
Then one day, just when I about to give up and believe that if he said he was ready, then there was a chance that it might be the case, he asked a question.
"Mum, what will you pay me for doing well in my exams?"
"Eh?"
"Some people's parents do it," he told me. "They get more the more passes they get."
"How about I reward you by continuing to advise, support, clothe and feed you? Plus I might give you some extra hugs and kisses if you like."
"Yuk.I knew that's what you'd say." Eye rolling and sighing resumed.
They've all gone to spend their winnings - pic Non-Partizan
But seriously - do you pay your kids for doing well in their exams? If so, what's the going rate? Is it the same for all your children? How can you be sure you're not getting yourself into something even more ruinously expensive than children are without exam extortion?
Of course, we'll be delighted with a good set of results and might take him for a meal or some other treat to celebrate. But I'm far more pleased that he's taking it seriously and put his back into the job.
Hopefully, his sense of achievement at a job done well - however it works out - is a better reward than a few quid that'll disappear on a new game or 'hilarious' t-shirt.
What do you do? Do we need to give them an extra incentive?
