paying parents for taking their kids to the library?

[Cadam]

I just watched a segment on CBS. They were discribing programs in washington, Texas, georgia and other states (12 total) that pay parents to take their kids to the library, in for dr. check-ups and kids for passing the state tests. I don't mean paying for the dr. visit, I mean on top of the state covering the dr. bill they gave the mom 200$ for each kid who got a check up.

Isn't this just part of being a parent? What message does this send to the kids? Your mom will only get you a library card because she gets 50$ for doing so? I understand it seems to work, but at what cost?

[chiguirre]

:D Can you imagine the cash we could rake in if they paid us for visiting the library?

I know that wasn't the intention of your post, but I couldn't help indulging this pleasant daydream!:cool:

[j.griff]

For real, get the books you want to read AND money for checking them out. Way cool. Hey, that'd cover the gas costs for driving there, right? :D

[Kelli in TN]

:D Can you imagine the cash we could rake in if they paid us for visiting the library?

I know that wasn't the intention of your post, but I couldn't help indulging this pleasant daydream!:cool:


Darn, you beat me to it!

It's crazy. Do you think Tennessee will get it? I could use the cash.

[TCoppock]

I have never heard of such a program. Are they paying all parents to do this or is it a program for welfare recipients? I'm shocked that such a program exists. Paying parents to be parents. It bothers me that this is what my tax dollars are funding.

I agree I could rack up some cash in the library.

[abbeyej]

I'm in GA -- where do I sign up? Can I get paid every time I take dd in to the ped because she has strep? ;) I'd be rich! ;)

[Karenciavo]

:D Can you imagine the cash we could rake in if they paid us for visiting the library?

I know that wasn't the intention of your post, but I couldn't help indulging this pleasant daydream!:cool:

You stole my thunder :p

I listen to the local TV channel for ABC on the radio when I'm in the car sometimes and I heard Henry Winkler on some talk show (Regis?) saying that after the Fonz got his first library card applications for cards rose 500%. Maybe if the women on Desperate Housewives (is this still popular?) got some library cards we wouldn't have to pay people to go.

[Whisperlily]

I've never heard of cash being given, but when I was pregnant with my youngest (in Washington), our insurance company gave us a free carseat after our first prenatal visit.

I believe they also gave a one-time bike helmet to the kids after a well-child check, but we already had them so we declined.

I think these were more insurance company attempts to raise safety and awareness, not rewards for good parenting.

And library visits? Odd. I live in TX and just signed up for library cards in our new city, and nobody said anything. Maybe it is a welfare related program?

[nestof3]

You ask at what cost? You are right to question this. What is happening to our country? Why do gov't officials feel they can do stupid things like this with taxpayer money? I know -- everyone pays in -- but let's face it, I guarantee most of the people reaping the "rewards" aren't doing as much of the paying in.

This is just one more example of the state trying to claim ownership of children . The more people shirk their own responsibility, the more the state will take over.

[nestof3]

Here's the link:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/05/eveningnews/main3912735.shtml

[Cadam]

This is low income only. I think Tennessee was one of the states. There are 12 doing it and the segment was on CBS. Maybe there is something on their site about it.

The thing about the library is that the mom got money for getting the kids cards... will they ever get to use the cards if it takes cash just to prompt the first trip?

[Cadam]

Here is the story (http://www.cbsnews.com/). Go to the video section and then scroll to "earning to learn". I can't directly link the video - sorry.

[Pam "SFSOM" in TN]

This is low income only. I think Tennessee was one of the states.

Oooh, we're temporarily REALLY low income. If I could overcome the guilt of it all, I'd do it!

[Tutor]

Everyone must be online watching the video because it won't load for me. Apparently, CBS really wants me to view the story on the Arizona Flood Gates. (It keeps skipping to that video.)