Baby Christmas Money - what is it for?

pinkclouds

Any money gifted to my kids goes straight into their bank accounts. Once the balances are sufficiently high, some of it gets transferred to their Child Trust Funds. (Annoyingly, I have to do this via my own bank account because their CTFs only accept cheques or DDs. However, it's straight in and straight out - for the exact amounts.) It's their money not mine.

skipsmum

I hope if I give money to a baby his parents will feel they can decide what he needs most....and if what he needs is a safe car seat, or safe brakes on a car, then I hope they feel comfortable using my money for it.
I can't believe some people would feel its wrong to spend a babys money on a new safe car seat. Surely a warm, fed safe baby is the most important thing here?

RoxieW

I have a friend who requests clothes and not toys for her children so that she doesn't have to fork out for them. She doesn't even buy them toys herself as she thinks they're a waste of money. Last xmas she bought nothing. I adore those kiddies and always buy them lots of toys because I want them to have them. I would never ever give money as I know it would just be added to the household pot and that would really annoy me - the money is a gift for the child. However, If she had to borrow money from an account and then put it back, I wouldn't have a problem with that. I just know that she wouldn't.

mich13x

I gave cash gifts to three babies this xmas and i must say it didnt actually cross my mind that the parents would be putting it in the childrens saving account, i assumed that they would pick a nice treat for the child or put it towards a big purchase as i intended the money for christmas 2010 not their 21st birthdays or whatever. Just my opinion.

Dazi

I've not read all the posts on here, I am a granny, when I give my DD money for my DGDs it up to her what she spends it on, she knows what they need, I know some of money we have sent has gone on 'gym membership' wherby the DGDs can go to local gym to tumble tots and stuff like that, think it's brill,would rather they did that now than maybe get a lump sum when they are 18.

In the past DD has used money for car seats, I see no problem with this, gave money for grandchildren, thier parents know how it is best used

I think if you give money, when kids are young, its up to the parents as to how they spend it, errrr if you don't trust the parents, give a voucher

I would love to have enough money to send some to my DGDs and extra to put into an account for savings for them, but alas I only have enough to send my DD a bit extra, I am happy that she uses it to fund what my DGDs need

milliebear00001

Seems to me that what is clear is that if you want to be able to choose what your money is spent on, then you should be specific and say you want it to be paid into a savings account (assuming the child has one of course). I always thought people give money because they don't know what the recipient would prefer or can't be bothered to go shopping - in effect, if you give money to a child, then you are entrusting that money to the parent to decide what to do with it.

If you are not happy about your money being spent according to the parent's wishes, then maybe give a gift other than money - something I (as a parent) would much prefer for my young children anyway.

bestpud

kegg wrote: »

No they aren't or they wouldn't give it in the babies name.
There is a difference between saying heres a £100 for baby for christmas and
heres a £100 for you for christmas.

If it is ok for a parent to spend a childs money anyway they see fit is it also ok for an older child to help themselves to money from the parents purse as after all it is all family money?

No i thought not

I haven't said anything about it being ok for the parent to spend the money on themselves. If you read my posts, you will see how I feel about it.

What I am saying is the parents have the ultimate say in what they do with things given to their child. That's just how it is, I'm afraid.

Therefore, the giver has no say once the money is handed over.

This thread is about parents choosing to spend the money on 'essential' baby items rather than save it for the child.

Are you saying the giver can demand the parent repay the child?

And if they refused...?

Could the parent be sued in the small claims court for buying a high chair instead of putting the money into a savings account?

No I thought not!

Spendless

Morty_007 wrote: »

I REALLY resent not getting value for money...even if i'm spending money/vouchers someone else has given me.

Me, too! When my eldest was born, my friend told me she'd put some M & S vouchers in my card for me to buy him an outfit with cos 'oohhh the quality is soooo much better'. I lot count of the amount of times I went into my Marks to spend these £20 vouchers and came away empty handed cos everything was so dear. When my son was nearly 3 and my 2nd baby was on the way, I bought £20 of clothes for him elsewhere and spent the voucher on festive food for Christmas Day!

The money mine had when they were first born went into savings accounts for them. DD has a CTF but there is nothing in there other than the money via the Government as I prefer her to have a usual savings account. Most of the rest of the time it has just been the odd £20 that they normally spend on toys, but a few years ago one of my Grans sent all 4 of her grandkids £250 each, she did say for their bank accounts but if you want to do something that benefits you as a family (she suggested a holiday) then we welcome to do it.

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Suppose the parents spent it on clothes for themselves - would that be ok?

I gave this some thought and for me I would say 'it depends' if it's for a different coloured boob tube or some other nonsense then no, If it's for a smart outfit for an interview that then helps someone get ajob then yes cos you have helped acheive more. For that reason I don't have a problem with the car repairs, as it enables a parent to work and them to do other things that they'd struggle with otherwise. I do know someone who raided their 12 year olds savings to fund IVF though.

PolishBigSpender

I think child's money should be put aside for the baby's future.
Parents can borrow it if they really need it, but then they should give it back.

mumslave

bestpud wrote: »

I haven't said anything about it being ok for the parent to spend the money on themselves. If you read my posts, you will see how I feel about it.

What I am saying is the parents have the ultimate say in what they do with things given to their child. That's just how it is, I'm afraid.

Therefore, the giver has no say once the money is handed over.

This thread is about parents choosing to spend the money on 'essential' baby items rather than save it for the child.

Are you saying the giver can demand the parent repay the child?

And if they refused...?

Could the parent be sued in the small claims court for buying a high chair instead of putting the money into a savings account?

No I thought not!

Its ridiculous isnt it, i am sure if i could go back to my baby days I would say, thanks mum for my high chair, thanks granny for contributing to the cost :rotfl: as long as its for the babies benefit (cant really see a parent getting much use out of a high chair) i dont see the problem.

I would personally be quite happy to see money go on a high chair or car seat, better than booze and fags.