Why I Pay My Kids for Sponsored Posts

As a mom blogger, the campaigns I am offered are usually related to kids or moms because that is my life. So naturally, my kids get to be a part of it but only if they agree. Before involving them in a campaign, J and I discuss the following:

• Are they fully aware of what they are getting involved with?
• Do they understand the extent of being on social media?
• Do they understand what the sponsored posts involve?
• Are they willing to conform to this brand’s expectations?

It is unlikely a young child would comprehend what a sponsored post entails. However, seeing that Kate and Liv are now 9 and almost 7, they have the capacity to potentially understand. We cover these points with them:

• Do you know what this brand is all about?
• This is the message what you are expected to convey on behalf of the brand.
• You will be on social media.
• Do you want to be a part of this?

I never pressure them to do anything; they can most definitely refuse involvement. Sometimes, Kate will prefer to be behind the camera, like for this collaboration with VKFW (here). She may take photos of Liv and I and that is perfectly fine with me. If they do want to be a part of a sponsored post, we brainstorm ideas together to ensure they are comfortable, at the same time making the campaign successful. This is the best part as it usually turns into a laughing fest and allows their creativity to shine through.

Components of a Sponsored Post

It may be surprising how much work go into sponsored posts. Components of a good post needs creativity, planning and preparation, time to edit photos, write and complete a re-do, if necessary. For me, this can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours.

The editing and writing aspect can be time consuming. If it didn’t turn out the way we expected, then I may need the girls to redo certain components.

Sometimes, one of the girls will choose not to cooperate. Naturally, I remind her that because this is a job that she agreed to do, she should follow through. But that is not always easy for a 6 year old. If so, the plan would need to be revised.

All of this requires time, effort and patience, especially on their part. I believe this introduces work ethic, which can be applied to school now and later on in various areas of life. However, it is crucial that they do not feel like they have to do it for “mama’s blog”. I want them to be a part of it because they actually enjoy it.

They Got Paid

I split the earnings on sponsored posts that they are involved with because of two reasons. First, I feel that when I ask the girls to do photoshoots or videos for a sponsored post, they are essentially working. The company compensates me in exchange for a service. I, in turn, ‘contract’ out for services I can only fulfill with the girls’ help (like this campaign). I want to ensure that their time and effort is appreciated and rewarded, just like a job.

Secondly, I want to instil in them similar money management skills that I learned from my parents: to work hard, invest and have a good cushion for unexpected things. The only way to learn these skills first hand is to work and get paid.

Growing up, finances were a huge deal in my house. Both my parents immigrated to Canada in their mid 20’s with practically nothing. They hustled for years to purchase a house and held off having children before they were even close to paying it off. My parents were not risk takers and avoided any major debt (my dad still isn’t a risk taker). They invested their hard earned money, enabling them to put my brother and I both through university (got me through it twice!), help contribute to our first homes and allowed my dad to retire from his restaurant job at 52 years old. Their work ethic and money management taught my brother and I that it isn’t how much you make from your job that matters but how much you spend and save. (I have so much to share about what I learned from them but I will save that for another post.)

I started working at 15 years old. My mom saved a little more than 50% of my earnings from that minimum wage job for 8 years. Without getting too technical, she had used those savings to invest in low risk mutual funds allowing me to earn interest without doing anything. By the time I was 24, I had enough for a decent down payment on a house. In fact, with my parents’ help, I was able to hold onto that money and it continues to grow today.

For this particular campaign, they each received $100. We agreed that 50% would go into their savings account and 50% to be spent at their leisure. For smaller amounts, I may adjust the percentages. Click on the video to see how Liv spent part of her earnings.

Thank You

Readers like you who follow and read the blog has rewarded me the opportunity to blog and write. And now, your support teaches Kate and Liv real life skills. My hope is that early experiences like these will enable them to grow up to be financially independent women. I thank you for being a part of this.

How do you feel about kids being compensated for sponsored posts or teaching kids money management early on? Leave me a comment below.