Do you give your children an allowance?

[Saved]

Well summer is here again and we have had the usual Summer Question. Are we getting a raise in our allowance? Do you give your children an allowance. Do they earn all or part of it?

We have two children. A son who is 15 and a daughter who is 13. We started giving them an allowance when they were five.
Reason - When we would go to the store they needed to take their money with them if then wanted to by anything. It really helped us avoid the checkout line question ~ Would you by me? If they didn't have money with them they couldn't buy anything. We when they were young would remind them to bring their money them. We had a jar and they needed to put something from there allowance in it even if it was only a penny for a worthy cause.
As they grew we increased their allowance. If they wanted extra money we would find something for them to do to earn it.
When they they were 10 we increased the amount but they had a chore to do in the home.
Right now they both receive $15.00 a week. For that my son who is 15 is asked to -
Do the dishwasher if he is home when it needs unloaded, he vacuums their den, pick up after his dog and make an effort to keep his room tidy.
My daughter who is 13 is asked to : Sweep the kitchen floor every other day, keep her cats litter box clean, water our 2 plants and make an effort to keep her room tidy.
This summer they took it upon themselves to take out the garbage and recycling to help their dad.
When they go away on Holiday this summer each will receive $200.00 plus their $15.00 for that time away.
What would or do you do? Do you think they have enough?
They each get a clothing allowance every season, we buy all school supplies, any lessons they want to take, they both have a passion for reading and we pay for all book, bus tickets, lunch money etc. This is their mad money. Laura. <><

[brockadoodle]

Laura,

Sounds like you have a great allowance plan.

My son get 25.00 a week. During the school year all he has to do is all his homework, unload the dishwasher, and keep his room clean.

In the summer he has to help his dad in the yard and keep his room clean.

I don't give him a clothing allowance, as he is my only one.

He is into books, video games, music lessons and building things. He does paint as well.

We also do this book thing, Who ever reads the most books out of the 3 of us, gets to pick a weekend adventure. I normally win!! But I let them give me suggestions *L*

[Saved]

Hi Bernadette, We got into doing the clothing allowance as we have a daughter. That is so different. My daughter loves fashion and I wouldn't be able to keep up. My son never even gets close to spending his. Plus my daughter shops with her friends it takes her over 2 hours to find a pair of jeans. I do not like shopping at all for clothes. I did take her out after Christmas and in 4 hours she found 2 tops and a pair of jeans...aahhhhh!!!!!! Laura. <><

[brockadoodle]

yeah I know how girls are. My neice lived with me for 6 years and oh man she was killing me with shopping for clothes.

I made her get a job though once she was old enough. Then I would drop her and a friend off at the mall, and tell them you have 4 hours to find what you want. When I come back if you are not done, you can go to the party or whatever naked for all I care.

Sure enough they had what they wanted. But if I went in the mall with them, it would be 6 hours and they would not have a stich of clothing.

[Saved]

I so know what your taking about. Been there done that. That is why I or her dad don't go shopping if we can help it. Laura. <><

[christinema]

Give each kid their age in $ on payday. We get paid biweekly. Son - 13yo = $13, daughter - 11yo = $11. Then they have to deposit 1/2 into their savings accts. We bring them to the bank, they fill out the deposit slip, wait in line & make the transaction themselves. Raises come 1x/yr, just like real life. On their birthdays, allowance always = age.

They don't technically do anything for their allow. They do things around the house, weed, sweep, make beds, laundry, dishwasher, recycling, etc. just because they live in the house and should show pride in their belongings. They would still be doing these things even with no allow. They spend their allow on what they want. Has to be legal & age approp. though. ;D Mom always has final say! ;D Mostly books, video games, etc. My son even treated me one night to dinner out, because he wanted to go and I had already spent my allow.

We all get an "allowance" here becuz we live on 1 paychk. I find they actually don't buy as many trivial things now & save it for big purchases. My son bought himself the Playstation 3 after Xmas. That's a huge purchase for anyone $500! He wanted it, he saved, why not. Kids aren't into clothes yet, so no prob there. But, I'm sure my time will come.

[Saved]

My 2 both give $10.00 of their allowance toward their Foster Child. Each of them wanted to sponsor 1 so $10.00 of their allowance per month they have to donate to that and they are allowed to use $25.00 of the interest of their trust funds. They do have other things to do that are being part of a family things, such as : each cook 1 meal per week (except during exams), they help carry in and put away the groceries, bring down and put away their laundry for example. They receive about $800.00 a year from their Grandfather also. I don't think they need a raise. It is always my daughter who calls the family meeting on this. Laura. <><

[househund]

I tried once with my daughter..
She saved her allowence and spent my money...
not quite how it's supposed to work

But I think your right... and allowence is the way to go .. and it has to be earned.

[christinema]

Jul 6, 2008 14:26:29 GMT -5 househund said:

She saved her allowence and spent my money...
.

LOL

A girl after my own heart.

[househund]

to compensate.. I let her spend mine.. and I spent my husbands hahhahahahahhahahhah
ahahahhahahhahahahha

[Saved]

If life was only like that! What a hoot! Laura. <><

[weaselwatchr]

The ferrets have no need for money, as long as they have their treats they are fine.

[dutchgirl]

So are my fur babies. Give them their food in time and they are happy. If I am late feeding them they start yelling at me...

Guess they still have to learn to "never bite the hand that feeds them" in this case Yell at the hand....

[scrappinmomof4]

well....I did try with my 14 year old...she only had to do her homework (of course)...wash the dishes after we eat....sweep the kitchen....(at least every other day)....and just help me pick up behind the babies....

That only lasted as long as she wanted to buy something!! If she didnt want the money...she wouldnt do the chores!! ARGGGG!! So I started a pay as you go system.....she got paid if she did them...and if she didnt....I took $ away....and on Friday...she got what was left.....she lost interest in that real fast. I even tried giving her $$ for her grades.....A's paid $3, B's were $2, & C's were $1...nothing for D's or F's....but she still only tried...when she wanted something....so now she doesnt get anything....she will get money for her bday from family...and she works for her papa and nana....to get money....and that seems to make her happy....(ya know at 14...she knows best!!!) But since she is getting into designer clothes....I am sure she will come back to reality....because she is going to need money to buy them..... ;D!!

My younger ones are just now getting older 4,5,6....so I have them clean there room....and take all toys out of the living room. My 6 year old is getting to help with dishes, cleaning off the table...ect...but her brothers are still a little young yet....so I will be trying an allowance with them....soon!!

[jenn]

Angelique,

On behalf of your furbabies they should get an allowance. I put all the returned bottle money in a jar for our cats. (In Maine we have to pay 5 to 15 cents tax on a bottle when we buy beer, wine, soda etc. When we return the bottles to the store to be recycled we get that fee back.) Then when we are in Portland we go to the high end pet store on Commercial street and buy Eddie and Jack the expensive cat nip toys they love so much.

[Saved]

Hi Jenn, How thoughtful of you to give allowance to you Fur Babies! Bless you! Laura. <><