A reward request lets a child choose something from the Reward Shelf and ask a parent to approve it.

Approval gives the family a clear check before S’mores are deducted.

The flow is:

Choose reward → Send request → Parent reviews → Approve or reject → Wallet updates

Quick Start

1. The child opens the Reward Shelf.
2. The child chooses a reward.
3. The child sends the request.
4. The parent reviews it.
5. The parent approves or rejects it.
6. Approved requests deduct the required S’mores.
7. The family honors the reward.

Exact buttons and status names should be verified.

Before the Child Requests

The child should understand:

• The reward name
• The S’mores cost
• Whether approval is required
• When the reward can be used
• Any family rule
• Whether the reward is for one child or the whole family

Example:

Reward: Choose Friday movie
Cost: 150 S’mores
Rule: Request by Friday afternoon

Clear rules reduce rejected requests.

The Child Sends the Request

The child chooses a reward they can afford.

The request tells the parent:

• Which child is asking
• Which reward they chose
• The S’mores cost
• Whether the balance is enough
• When the request was made

The exact information shown should be verified.

The Parent Reviews the Request

Before approving, check:

• Does the child have enough S’mores?
• Is the reward still available?
• Does it fit the family schedule?
• Does it involve money?
• Has the reward already been used?
• Can the family honor it now?
• Is the request connected to the correct profile?

Approval should follow a rule the child knew before requesting.

Approve the Reward

When the parent approves:

• The reward is accepted
• The required S’mores are deducted automatically
• Wallet history records the activity
• The child can receive or use the reward

The app records the deduction.

The family still needs to provide the real reward.

Example:

S’moresUp can record “Choose Friday movie,” but the family still needs to let the child choose the movie.

Reject the Reward

Reject when:

• The timing is not appropriate
• The reward is no longer available
• A family rule was not met
• The child selected the wrong reward
• The family cannot honor it
• The request was sent by mistake

Because the S’mores are deducted at approval, rejecting the request should leave the S’mores untouched.

Use a clear explanation where the product supports one.

Try:

We already have plans Friday. Please request this for Saturday.

Avoid:

No, because I said so.

Reward Approval On or Off

Some families may require approval for rewards.

Approval is useful when the reward:

• Uses money
• Changes the family schedule
• Adds screen time
• Requires parent action
• Is shared by the family
• Has a higher cost

A small, simple reward may not need the same level of review, depending on current settings.

Verify whether approval can be disabled per reward or through a broader reward setting.

Cash-Out Requests

Cash-Out is a special reward or Wallet request.

When approved:

• The requested S’mores are removed from the child’s account
• The transaction is recorded
• The parent pays outside S’moresUp

The app does not send real money.

Family Rewards

S’moresUp does not currently use a pooled family-reward balance.

For a family reward:

• One person pools S’mores in their account
• That person sends the request
• The parent approves it
• The reward is used by the family

Make the family rule clear before pooling begins.

Notifications

The child and parent may receive updates for:

• Request sent
• Approval needed
• Reward approved
• Reward rejected

Exact notification behavior should be verified.

Keep Approval Prompt

A reward loses meaning when a child waits several days for an answer.

Choose a regular review time:

• After dinner
• During the evening check-in
• Before the weekend
• On allowance day

Prompt review keeps the connection between earning and choice clear.

Common Problems

The child cannot request the reward

Check the balance, profile, reward visibility, and current settings.

The parent approved the wrong request

Review Wallet history and use in-app Help if correction is needed.

S’mores were deducted but the reward was not delivered

The family still needs to honor or resolve the reward outside the app.

The child requests the same reward several times

Confirm current repeat behavior and family rules.

The request is always rejected

Update the reward or explain the rule more clearly.

Common Questions

When are S’mores deducted?

When the reward is approved.

Does rejection remove S’mores?

No deduction should occur because approval is required first.

Can a child cancel a request?

Verify current controls.

Can a parent add a reason for rejection?

A note may be available, but verify the current product behavior.

Can another adult approve?

Confirm adult permissions.

Best First Action

Create one simple approval-required reward.

Let the child request it, review it promptly, and show how the approved deduction appears in Wallet.

Related Articles

• How the Reward Shelf Works
• How Cash-Out Works
• How Wallet Transactions Work
• How to Use Rewards for One Child or the Whole Family