Money Moral Dilemma: Should my eldest child split their Child Trust Fund savings with my youngest?

Caval1er

I think it's your responsibility to make up the shortfall, not the kids...

bikaga

Hell no. First child is right. You didn't put the money in there, the government did. So it's not yours to take away. If you can't afford to top up 2nd child's and invest in 3rd child's yourself, the best thing you can do is make sure you vote for a party that'll ensure people like you and your children have more funds. If you can afford to top up yourself, just top up yourself.

witchone

Set one up yourself for them, I did, a pound or 2 a week soon adds up.

Rd1994

The money belongs to your child not you so
you dont really have a say in this. 

Don’t necessarily agree with all the comments saying you should have done something about this as everything is circumstantial.

However this is just another valuable life lesson on not everything being fair / level and being felt the cards we’ve got. I paid 9 x more university feeds than my partner despite being born months apart - that’s life sadly. 

Jeaniej9

My kids were similar, eldest had 250 youngest had 500.  They have had money off us for life events etc.  but they have  both decided themselves to share each as they mature which I think is great 

Currant_bun

I can’t believe you would even suggest this to your first born. If you’re so concerned about treating them equally you’ve got plenty of time until your 3rd is 18 to get something in place for them. Shame you hadn’t considered this years ago. 

FredaJones

So rather than the parent give the third child money from their pocket, the parent wants the oldest child to hand over some of his?

Wow, that's just horrible, forcing the older child into that position.

If the parents want the third child to have some cash then it should come from their pocket.

Florafauna

Definitely not. You should be saving money to equalise the amounts. Plus it is not your money to choose what to do with.
Very wrong to try and exert financial coercion over someone especially your child 

primrose_penguin

This money was from the Government and belongs to your eldest child, they are now at an age where they will have their own expenses whether going to College, Uni or starting a job. Perhaps you have not topped up either account or started one for your youngest because you were not in a financial position to do so. However when you are able to afford it, open an account for your youngest and put in small amounts when and if you can, it will soon build up and as there is a good age gap between your oldest and youngest it should resolve itself.

gloriouslyhappy

I agree with everyone who says 1) it’s not your money to give away; 2) open an account now and pay something in regularly.

A min of £1 weekly, and by the time child3 is 18, it will have a decent balance.

Possible consider putting £1 fortnightly into child2’s account too.

Money is tight but we’re only talking £1.50 per week here, half the price of a take away coffee.