Pocket money (merged)

ManOnTheMoon

No set amounts and 16yo has none now she earns. They don't get money for doing household chores as that's my way of teaching them to be house proud etc.

If they want money and it's a reasonable request, they'll get it. It's not like I don't buy them things they don't want most days - computer games, chocolate, girls TOTM things, other girly things, toys, mags, cinema tickets - you get the point. Also put money into their bank accounts every week.

No set amounts, just go with the flow.

basil1998

stormbreaker wrote: »

Mine are now 18 and 15 and they have never had pocket money. There were always sweets in the house and they got one after lunch and dinner providing they behaved. Any money for clubs etc. I paid for. I never encouraged buying sweets or magazines whilst out. Both were fortunate to get a job locally at 14 which did not interfere with their education or sport/social life. What they earn is theirs to spend as they please although they sometimes needed guidance and at times still do!
Since starting work, my youngest has bought a laptop,Xbox 360, Nintendo Ds and a TV for his room which is better than the one in the livingroom! and much much more.
IMO they don't need pocket money whilst at primary school.

this is how i am with my daughter there is always sweets in house and choc i will buy her monthly mags and if she goes out on trips discos or club i pay and give her money and if i can not afford something i tell her and she understands

chloe99_2

I dont think you should give pocket money to your younger child. Just because children are siblings it doesnt mean that you need to or should treat them the "same" - they are different children of different ages with different needs. I would set an age at which i wanted to start giving pocket money, and younger child would be told (if they even ask!) that when they are this age they will get it. This is mean or unkind, children accept this very readily without any hard feelings.

My second (and evidently unusual!) view is that pocket money should not be related to chores or good behaviour. Find other ways to have children behave properly or do as they are told, but pocket money is a gift to your children to help them understand money and grow and learn, it's not supposed to be another control mechanism for us to use when we run out of parenting strategies or are having a bad day:rotfl:

mummy_Jay

My DS (5) does chores but they are not linked to his pocket money in anyway, neither is his homework.

I started giving him pocket money for his 5th birthday, 50p with an agreement it goes up 10p each birthday for the time being. It's been a great learn tool not only about the value of money and saving but I've use it to teach him number of 10's in 50 and number of 5's. It gets him accustomed to money. He's also so proud when he can spend his own moeny, he's saved to buy something he really wants.

Katie-Kat-Kins

OP - I think three is too young really, why not give the older one pocket money and tell the little one that they will get pocket money when they are six.

While I agree you should treat your children equally, this does not mean treating them the same all the time. They are three years different, the little one has to grow up understanding that some things the older one can do because they are older.

Allowing the little one to do the same as the older one all the time is actually unfair to the older one. They need a few priviliges of age. The little one needs some things to look forward to.

If you don't sort this out just think what a tough time you will have when the oldest is 16 and wants to stay out late and the other is 13 and wanting to do the same!!!

Give the oldest the pocket money and let the other wait until they are old enough.

Lotus-eater

When do you start giving it and how much is it?

Lotus-eater

I didn't think it was a really difficult question

onetomany

my 13 year old gets £5 per week, i pay for clubs etc, he pays for phone credit , mags and sweets etc, my 7 year old gets £2 he buys some sweets normaly around 70p then puts the rest in his money box, my oldest gets free calls to me and dad and texts but i refuse to pay for credit for him to ring friend ifykwim probley been giving them money for about 2 years now but it has increased over the years

Lotus-eater

7 year old £2? Mmmm, when did you start giving it to him?

t4mof

£1 a week for my 5 and 8 year olds. But I usually give them £2 every other week so they have more to spend in one go iyswim.

Probably been giving them it for about 2 years. Basically when I thought the eldest was old enough for pocket money and then the youngest got it as well coz I couldn't leave him out...:D