Thread: Pocket money
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Old January 27th 09, 03:28 PM posted to misc.kids
Ericka
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Posts: 64
Default Pocket money

Welches wrote:
I thought I'd try and generate a debate or two as this group seems to have
gone fairly quiet barring the spam.
I'm going to raise a couple of senarios, that I've been in as a child or a
parent or a friend.
This one is about pocket money.

Three children, two born at the start of the academic year, one born towards
the end.

Pocket money could either be raised (and started ot be given) on birthdays,
starting at age 5yo. However, assuming that all children go onto university
and then get a job and are then self supporting, this means that the one
born at the end of the year gets almost a year less of having pocket money
as they will be just 18 when they leave home, and the others nearly 19.

Alternatively: You could raise pocket money (and start giving it) when they
start school. This means that they will have the same number of years having
pocket money, but the one at the end of the year starts getting pocket money
at only just 4yo rather than nearly 5yo.

I can see that either could raise resentment. Or neither. Which do you think
is fairer, or have you an alternative (not giving pocket money at all
doesn't count!!!)


I think that the answer is in your theory behind
the allowance. Is the allowance tied to responsibilities
in the family? Then it should start and get increased at
the same time that the responsibilities are increased.
If the child is responsible for handling certain expenses
with the allowance, like lunch money, then you probably tie
it to the school year.

Once you answer the question of why you're giving
the allowance in the first place, it will probably make the
answer pretty clear. If you're doing it just so that the kid
has some no-strings-attached money, then it probably doesn't
matter whether you tie it to age or grades.

Best wishes,
Ericka