Orientation - The hfk Method
How does it work?
There are 2 gameplay components:
Hired & Fired
The Hire & Fire method consists of Recognition, Reward & Consequence to influence positive behavior through play.
Hired - are the jobs that parents post, and the kids apply and complete for reward (no assigning tasks here).
Fired - are the expectations or 'house rules' set by the family that are meant to be followed. If a player is caught not following one of these family expectations they can get a warning x. Too many x's, look out you could get fired, and that goes for you too parents...
Object Of The Game -is for the kids to finish each pay period without getting fired so they can keep their incentive bonuses and prevent their selected consequence from being activated.
Help your family stay on track with HFK and meet your kids where they want to be, their devices!
As Seen on
Hire & Fire Your Kids
The Game of Recognition, Reward & Consequence
Hire your kids for jobs around the house and Fire them if they're caught one too many times not following a family value or expectation.
RECOGNITION -
Build Self-Esteem with Recognition
Notice when your kids are doing something you like and reinforce with positive, specific feedback. Recognition builds up their confidence and self-esteem.
Don’t worry we’ll even remind you!
You're Recognized!
REWARD -
Empower Your Kids to Learn the Value of a Dollar and Job Responsibility
Kids are empowered to take ownership by applying to posted jobs (no assigning tasks here) and rewards provide an incentive we can all relate to.
Redeem gift cards like Roblox, Starbucks, Walmart etc., replace allowance, or use points to represent rewards for payday
You're Hired!
CONSEQUENCE -
Reduce Your Parenting Struggle
Consequences are an important outcome of not following your family values, house rules or expectations. Use visuals, through photos, to demonstrate unmet expectations & send a warning X. The kids are motivated to minimize these X’s so that they don’t face the consequences you set together at your last team meeting or lose out on their payday incentive bonuses.
You're Fired!
Kids love their devices, as do their parents.
So, why not parent with your phone?
42% of kids have a phone by age ten, 71% by age twelve and 91% by age fourteen. These numbers continue to rise each year as we delve further into the digital age.
Hire & Fire Your Kids is the worlds first parenting app built to help parents; parent, and embrace this new norm utilizing technology and gamification to bring families closer together.
Unlimited Features & Players
100% customizable
to suit your family
Set Game Rules
• Set your pay period to weekly, bi-weekly or monthly
• Set your recurring payday/team meeting date & stick to it
• Set your payment currency to dollars or points
• Set the number of warning X's before getting fired
• Set the not fired bonus, reward amount
• Set the teamwork bonus, reward amount
• Set the fire-a-parent to on or leave as off
• Set the leaderboard to on or off
• Review orientation guide then roll out & play
Turn chores into a game your kids want to play
Gameplay Features
Unlimited Players & Unlimited Features
Tag-A-Kid
Parents, you can tag-a-kid to get their attention and have them contribute more around the home.
Nudge-A-Kid
Parents, you can use nudge-a-kid as a friendly reminder BEFORE you get fed up and have to issue a Warning X.
Kids Kash
Kids can redeem their payday earnings using the cashout feature or redeem for gift cards like Roblox, Starbucks, Walmart & more right in the app! Keep track of it all with pay stubs & payment history.
Remind Me
Kids can use the remind me feature and set personal reminders for themselves to remember to complete jobs or expectations on their own. This saves them from having to hear mom or dad remind or nag them to do it. :)
Fire-A-Parent
Leading by example is a strong way to parent, if you choose to let your kids fire you, come up with what YOUR consequence will be if you do get fired... Treat kids to ice cream, family picnic, extra media time, etc. Be sure to discuss at your family team meetings. :) You can update the default setting to 'fire a parent' under game rules, this new rule will update on payday.
Family Recognition
Now the entire family can use Recognition messages to send to every player in the game. Who doesn't love recognition, show each other some love people!
Hey Parents, here's how you play.
Recognition
Send kind messages, words of appreciation, affirmation to your kids.
Recognize your kids for something they did that made you feel good.
Make their day!
Reward
Post jobs for hire.
Mark jobs complete.
Reward your kids on time at your family team meeting.
Help manage their virtual wallet.
Consequence
When kids 'tick' you off give them a warning x.
Remove the warning x if kid fixes the unmet expectation.
Fire your kid if they get three x's.
Activate the consequence you set together at your last team meeting.
Parents, follow your family expectations too or risk getting fired yourself. ;)
Leaderboard
The leaderboard was built to have some friendly competition amongst players. We understand this may not work for all families so feel free to turn the leaderboard default from show to hide under the game rules.
Payday/Team Meetings
PAYDAY - time to reward your kids for all their hard work!
Earned rewards are automatically moved to paid rewards in the app to promote delayed gratification.
Be sure you stick to your family team meetings... You can share what's working, what's not, discuss potential consequences for the upcoming pay period and more!
Bonuses
We practice loss aversion in the app. If the kids can go the entire pay period without getting fired, they get to KEEP their NOT FIRED bonus.
If all siblings can go the entire pay period without getting fired, they all get to KEEP their TEAMWORK bonus.
Bonuses are then paid out on payday.
Jobs
Kids apply to the rolling job board created by a parent and earn reward upon completion.
Parent's just set it & forget it!
Kids can set job reminders for themselves using the remind me button. We also remind the kids too so they can complete their taken jobs on time and earn reward!
Jobs are 100% customizable! Add your own or use our templates and customize from there. Change the job name, description, picture, category. Choose the due date of a job to be ASAP, repeat daily, select days or on a specific date. You can customize the reward amount, add a job checklist, choose parent review on or off, use the filters, multi-delete and more!
Expectations
Kids follow the family values and expectations set, trying not to get fired...
Expectations could be things like "must do" unpaid chores, behaviors, manners, hygiene, family values, money management and more.
Kids can set personal reminders for themselves using the remind me button for any expectation.
i.e., Put deodorant on daily at 8am, practice piano.
Expectations are 100% customizable!
Add your own or use our templates and customize from there.
Change the expectation name, picture, category, use the filters, multi-delete and more!
Family Messages
Families can communicate with messages to individual players or all! A great feature for kids without data or who use the web app.
Hey Kids, here's how you play.
Recognition
Send kind messages or words of appreciation to your family.
Recognize your family for something they did that made you feel good.
Make their day!
Reward
Apply to jobs of your choice.
Complete them on time.
Earn reward!
Manage you virtual wallet.
Consequence
Follow your family expectations (house rules).
Get caught breaking one & you'll get a warning x.
Three x's & you're fired!
You can always correct your warning X and ask for it to be removed.
Did you know you can fire your parents?
Same rules apply to them too. ;)
Gift Cards
Kids can redeem their "paid" earnings towards gift cards of their choice (US & CAN only for now & parental approval of course :).
Choose from partners like Indigo, Sephora, Starbucks, Walmart, Nintendo, Xbox, GameStop, Spotify, Disney, Barnes & Nobel & More!
Digital gift card gets sent to the email address provided and can be used instantly.
Cashout
The cashout feature will reduce the kids available to redeem and you will need to reward your kids manually.
Could be used towards family experiences, savings account, that something special, media time, pay back mom or dad, donation to charity, restart the kids pay to $0, etc.
Payment History
Players can keep track of the amount spent towards gift card or the cashout feature.
Shows the Kid name, gift card/cashout, date spent and amount. Parents get a full view of any gift card purchase details too.
Why Play Hire & Fire Your Kids?
Are you feeling frustrated with your kids behavior?
Stressed out over your kids lack of help around the house?
Tired of constantly having to nag your kids to get off their device, brush their teeth, keep their hands to themselves, make their bed, practice piano and on and on?
Willing to try the HFK Method to make your life easier and reduce your family friction by getting your kids to be more responsible, accountable & actually listen with minimal effort on your part?
Want Hire and Fire your Kids to work in your home?
Then stop giving your kids $$$ for their wants and stop buying their wants.
It's time to play HFK and teach your kids to EARN their wants!
We’ve developed a fun game-like method that won't cost you hundred of $$$'s,
actually it's less than $5 a month.
The game allows the kids to apply to posted jobs for HIRE and allows parents to give warning X's and potentially FIRE their kids when they don't follow the family values & expectations.
Our game motivates kids to take initiative using Recognition, Reward & Consequence. Teaching them how to respect your family values, manage their money, how to be a team player, be responsible and be accountable.
Hire & Fire Your Kids Is A Unique Tool To Enhance Your Parenting Style, Change Behaviors Through Play & Help You Communicate With Your Family In The Digital Age!
PARENT - What's In It For Me?
REDUCES STRESS
Less yelling
Less nagging
More time for you
More peaceful and tidy home
CHANGES BEHAVIORS
Less fighting
More engaged kids
More productive family
Siblings working together
Better behaved, less entitled kids
Kids learn valuable life skills
GETS YOU HELP
More fun and interactive way to get your kids doing chores
Kids that WANT to help and take initiative
Drives/aligns awareness of expectations
Tracks $$$ given on Pay Day + history
Keeps household on track.
More recognition for your kids.
Keeps you and your family accountable
KID - What's In It For Me?
REWARDS
$$$ Pay Day
Winning employee of the month extra prize
Recognition from parents
FAMILY TIME
More quality time with family/attention from parents
Get along better with siblings & parents
Less family friction
Active part of a team
LIFE SKILLS
Feeling accomplished, proud, happy
Learning value of a hard earned dollar
Strong work ethic
Becoming more prepared/successful for the future
Practice delayed gratification
FUN
You can FIRE your parents
Play the Game to earn payday allowance
Equal opportunity for brothers and sisters
Pay Stub payment tracker
Game Guide - Let's Play!
Set your recurring Family Team Meeting day and stick to it!
Stop giving your Kids money for their wants and stop buying their wants.
Instead teach your Kids to EARN their wants.
Detailed playbook instructions on setting up & rolling out the game of hire & fire with your family.
It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change.
1. Object of the game
FIRED: Kids need to finish each pay period without getting fired and keep their incentive bonuses making them eligible for the employee of the month.
HIRED: Kids apply to the rolling job board for hire, get rewarded upon completion and get paid out on payday.
Kids do their best to follow the family values and expectations you‘ve set together. If your kid is caught not following a value or an expectation by a parent, they're given a warning X. After a certain amount of warning X's the kid get's fired. (Option to remove an X if the kid corrects X immediately)
2. Incentive bonuses
If the kid can go the entire pay period without getting fired they get to keep their not fired bonus.
If all siblings can go the entire pay period without getting fired they all get to keep their teamwork bonus.
FIRED:
If your kid does get fired they are not entitled to the above incentive bonuses and a consequence that you set together at your last team meeting will activate.
3. Game rules
Set your pay period (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly)
Set your recurring payday / team meeting date
Set your payment currency (dollars or points)
Set the number of warning X's before getting fired
Set the 'not fired' bonus reward amount
Set the 'teamwork' bonus reward amount
4. You're fired / expectations
1. COMMUNICATE YOUR FAMILY VALUES
What are your own family values? e.g. Be kind, respectful, stay positive etc.
2. CREATE & COMMUNICATE YOUR FAMILY EXPECTATIONS
Use our template/default or customize with your own expectations. These are behavioral, hygiene, manners, money management, extended game rules & expectations your family must follow at all times, and can include some "must-do" unpaid chores. (Expectations are what can get you fired...)
3. EXPLORE & COMMUNICATE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES
Obtain input from your kids about the type of consequences they’d expect for not following the family expectations.
Consider consequences that are realistic, manageable and that you as a parent can stick to.
Decide on the consequences of being fired. Examples:
No TV
No internet for the day
No playing with friends
4. COMMUNICATE THE “NOT FIRED BONUS"
Customize kids kash amounts to suit your family.
Dollar (or point) bonuses are held at the beginning of the pay period for each kid, encouraging them to stay hired and allows them to practice delayed gratification.
If your Kid is fired, then the bonus is taken away and not paid out on pay day.
5. DEFINE & COMMUNICATE THE FAMILY “TEAMWORK BONUS”
At the end of the pay period if all kids stay hired then...
bonuses are awarded to each kid. Maybe even throw in a family Experience for the whole team. ie. laser tag, home movie night, adventure walk, the zoo.
5. You're hired / jobs & employee of the month
1. CREATE & COMMUNICATE THE JOB POSTINGS (CHORES FOR HIRE)
Choose from our template/default or customize with your own.
Decide if any should instead be part of the everyday must-do basic contribution chores (Non-Payable). Move these to the expectations.
Customize kids kash amount to suit your family.
Parent(s) initial each time job is complete on "paper" version
2. COMMUNICATE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Parent(s) chooses employee of the month and considers:
FAMILY VALUES – who was best at family values ie, helpful, kind, respectful, etc.
FIRED – who was not fired or had least amount of X’s.
TEAMWORK – who was helping or encouraging others to stay hired.
HIRED – who participated the most, applied for most jobs, completed the most job, earned the most or whatever you choose.
Your own employee of the month receives:
Special Reward for the WHOLE MONTH. Kid to choose with parent(s) approval. ie. favorite seat in the car for the whole month, box of cereal of their choice etc.
6. Kids kash
Take a look at our suggested kids kash rewards but feel free to establish your own for what works in your family. You can redeem kids kash for real money or experiences.
Here are some of our Hire & Fire Families favorite experiences: EXPERIENCE IDEAS.
7. Probationary period
Take the time and invest in teaching your kids. Everyone will need some practice to adjust, so we highly recommend a probationary period to set you all up for success! The Hire & Fire Method is a lifestyle change not a diet :)
While the kids are getting used to things, it's helpful to snap photo evidence of something you come across that is "X worthy". Send a message to them as a friendly reminder and watch how fast they take action to resolve and remove that X!
8. Team Meetings
Pre-Launch Team Meeting
Host an initial Pre-Launch Team Meeting to communicate the game and kids kash payouts chosen.
Have the kids participate in setting jobs and expectations and negotiate the pay rates per job with them.
Throughout the pay period take photo evidence to show where improvements can be made to share at your next meeting.
Payday - Team Meeting
Host a Pay Day Team Meeting every pay period or monthly (consistency is the key to success with Hire & Fire). Make it fun with snacks, prizes, cash on hand, order in, or even dress up!
Review things like:
Strengths and opportunities that month
Focus items for new month
How are you doing as their parent (start, stop, continue)
Set consequences/rewards for new pay period's gameplay
Announce the employee of the month
The kids really begin to look forward to these meetings!
Turn chores into a game your kids want to play
©2020 Hire and Fire your Kids