We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Money Moral Dilemma: Is it fair to redistribute my kids' cash equally?

Former_MSE_Nick
Posts: 463 Forumite

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...
My children have been receiving cash gifts from relatives since they were born, but unfortunately the amounts differ significantly. I'd like them to have similar amounts but I can't afford to top them all up to the highest level. Would it be fair to redistribute it equally among them?
My children have been receiving cash gifts from relatives since they were born, but unfortunately the amounts differ significantly. I'd like them to have similar amounts but I can't afford to top them all up to the highest level. Would it be fair to redistribute it equally among them?
0
Comments
-
If the amounts differ then I would assume the ages differ as some would have more from when they were born and as such I would say no they get to suit their age.
If this is the case they get at the same age so one will get now the others when they reach the same age.
Or that's the was it was when I was growing up, but hey I even hear all siblings get on ones birthdays now a days. Can they not wait until it is their turn?0 -
I agree, I think it's probably age-related but either way, no don't re-distrbute it.left the forum due to trolling/other nonsense
28.3.20160 -
If we are talking of small sums given to them for birthdays etc. I wouldn't. If it's something more substantial and there is a significant difference (e.g. a relative has gifted you 500£ upon the birth of your first child and 300£ on the birth of the second, and you are saving these amounts for them), then yes, I think it would only be fair.0
-
More info required.0
-
If it were me I would be inclined to distribute it evenly but on a set birthday. So if the balance currently totals £9K, then everyone on their 16/17/18 birthday gets £3K each.
This is provided the children are all full siblings, if they're not and there's money been given by one's birth father or whatever then you would be wrong to take from that cash.
xxx0 -
I saved in a bonus bond for each of my children and started them at the same time ( one was 3 years older) The first one received a lump sum on her 18th. When the second one reached 18 she had 3 years worth more of savings so I made her split the difference with her sister.0
-
It is quite clear it is not fair to reallocate gifts - they were given specifically to each child.
If one saves all that money oneself one can reshaffle it as one pleases , but this was money given specifically to each child by third partiesThe word "dilemma" comes from Greek where "di" means two and "lemma" means premise. Refers usually to difficult choice between two undesirable options.
Often people seem to use this word mistakenly where "quandary" would fit better.0 -
I think it depends on why they have different amounts - if greatuncle David has intentionally given more to his namesake David than to his siblings taking that money away seems wrong, though trying to rebalance by explaining the situation and asking other relatives if they mind giving more to the siblings seems fair.But a banker, engaged at enormous expense,Had the whole of their cash in his care.
Lewis Carroll0 -
Unless they are twins/triplets/quads/quins etc., it's fair to assume that the difference in savings at this time relates directly to the number of birthdays/christmases they've been alive for.
Surely it should pretty much even out in the end? If you take money away from older ones now the younger ones will eventually end up with more than their older siblings. Not much fairness there.Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear0 -
NO.
It is not your money.
Simple.
Also no need to tell them anything.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.3K Spending & Discounts
- 243.4K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.6K Life & Family
- 256.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards