Grandparents and pocket money.

easy

JodyBPM wrote: »

I'm not a grandparent, but a parent.

I would not expect the grandparents to give our children pocket money. Firstly, because its up to DH and I to fund our childrens' spending money, and secondly, because its DH & I's decision on how much spending money we think its appropriate for our children to have.

I'm perfectly happy with the GPs giving money for birthdays/christmas, which can go into bank accounts. But regular spending money should come from the parents imo, or at the very least be discussed and arranged with the parents first.

I've never heard of grandparents giving regular pocket money tbh - seems like quite a strange idea to me.

Alikay wrote: »

No, money from grandparents should be sporadic and unexpected. Even at a young age children should learn to budget their pocket money and if cash from grandparents becomes too regular and dependable it makes the lesson harder to learn.

Blimey, how prescriptive you are ...

I don't think there are - or should be - any rules about this kind of thing, every family should do whatever suits them.

Obviously kids have to learn how to budget and use their money 'properly' but if both parents and grandparents give a little, that isn't going to wreck a childs life.

Perhaps it isn't a good idea if grandparents give pocket money without the parents knowing ... these are things that should be decided in a family discussion BEFORE it actually starts.


We live a long way from my mum, and when we do see her (every 8 weeks or so) she will give DS some money or buy him a present (something she knows he really wants) maybe up to about £20. I said she doesn't need to (rather than she shouldn't), but she has pointed out that if we lived round the corner she would probably spend more than that giving him biscuits/sweets or a comic every week anyway.


If grandparents want to give regular pocket money, then why not ?? It certainly shouldn't be an expectation from the parents or child tho' !

tea_lover

Both sets of our grandparents used to save money for us each week, and I seem to remember always coming away from my Nan's with something in my hand lol. It's like that now, I only have one grandparent left and he's always trying to give me money for something, bless him.

My sister and I were the only grandchildren for all of our grandparents though, so I think they probably did spoil us a bit. But we're talking maybe 30p or so, 25 years ago.

duchy

I don't think there is any *should* about it.
IF the grandparent WANTS to..........and the parents don't have a problem with it -then do it but if the grandparent doesn't want to/see the need -or if the parents don't want them to -then that's fine too,
I don't think parents should expect it though and equally I don't think a grandparent should flout the parent's rule if they don't want it done.

lizzie_b

When I was younger my Grandma gave me and my sister £1 each when we saw her which was most Saturdays. It then increased to £2 as we got older. However we didnt have any pocket money from Mum and Dad ever, unless we helped with specific jobs round the house once in a while. And even now (I'm 26 and my sister is 30) Grandma will still slip us money whenever we see her!! We are her only grandchildren though, my other grandparents had 14 grandchildren so the money wouldnt go anywhere near as far. It was lovely that we had that, but we never expected it, I suppose its just down to what works for the family, our mum and dad paid for enough bigger treats for us anyway (yes we were very lucky) so the pocket money from Grandma paid for the little things like a bag of sweets or a magazine.

Lunar_Eclipse

My children actually get their weekly (now monthly) pocket money from their grandparents. They started doing this when DD1 turned 5 and started to express an interest in money and wanting things. They have far more disposable income than we have which could be a hugely influencing factor. Edit: It was agreed with us before they started and is discussed with us before any raises take place.

When I was a child, we got a little bit of pocket money occasionally from our grandparents. In contrast to my parents, my dad's parents put aside money for us every month (£10?) and gave us the money when we turned 18. When I went to university, these same grandparents also gave all the grandchildren £1000/year at the start of the year towards living expenses. Interestingly, they live very simply, financially speaking.

gingin_2

Both Grandparents sent them money when I mentioned the had good school reports. My mum sends them a generous book voucher each at the start of the summer holidays to keep them amused and the other Grandparents slip them some cash at the end of their mammoth visit but other than that, no. I always imagine that if/when I am a Granny I might subscribe to a magazine, or pay for a club for them.

FatVonD

My Inlaws give all the kids £1 each visit (usually fortnightly) and that goes up to £5 if there's a school holiday so they have extra to spend when they're out and about.

Michtaylor09

I give my 4 grandchildren £1 per week. They have a money box each at my house which it goes in. Their great grandma (who lives with us) does the same for them.
Once a year, we empty them and bank the cash for them. They'll get it when they reach 21.

That should be over 2K for them then!!!

carbbit

Our daughter is only 3 so isn't old enough for pocket money yet but my inlaws have 3 older grandchildren who they give £50 per month each, straight into their bank accounts. They often have our 3 year old overnight; once or sometimes twice a week.

I'm sure it's a subjective thing though. We shouldn't be saying "money should only come from the parents or it should only be sporadic...etc" - surely it's each to their own and whether grandparents can afford it and WANT to give money!!

Ex-Spendaholic

My parents don't give the kids pocket money per se nor would I expect them too. They do however look after them 3 days per week, make their dinner etc and they always seem to have sweets after dinner (whether I like it or not). They take them to the cinema etc frequently too. In addition Dad, is forever producing "bargains" from the Poundshop etc in the form of art materials etc which the kids get.

When we are going on holidays the kids always get money from them and when they have had a school report or some achievement, they always give them money too. They also were handing out money when the kids lost a tooth, although I've told him there is no need, they seem to want to do it. :rotfl:

The outlaws on the other hand, give them £1 each about every 2 months and you would think they were handing over thousands of pounds the way they go on about it, in fact I wish they wouldn't bother.