One of my co-workers is giving her teenage son a $50 a week allowance! I thought that was a bit much for a teenager, they can get into alot of trouble with that much cash. From what she said, he doesn't even do that much chores to get that much and he doesn't have to get a job because she gives him all that he needs.

She said that she gives him that much so that he won't have to work somewhere and not focus all or a lot of his attention on work and not school. I think she's a bit crazy if you ask me. Am I alone in this opinion. When Ernie was still living at home and in high school, I gave him $100 a month. And he worked his butt off around the house for that.

I totally agree that $50 a week is a lot.  I also think that allowance used as a tool to help a child learn money management skills & work ethic.

Yeah, $50 a week is way too much. We havent started giving an allowance yet. I dont know....I'm kind of on the fence about allowances. Maybe once they get a little bit older. We''l just have to see.

 

I had a pretty big allowence when I was a teenager i did spend it on foolish things... but thats how I learned because once it was gone it was gone and I couldn't ask for another cent... my allowence was suppose to pay for my lunches at school too but i never made it that far I always spent it up befor monday. needless to say I packed my lunch most of the time. eventually I learne dto make those dollars stetch. then I got a job at sixteen that was real good for me my dad made me buy my own things school cloths, make up, feminine hygine products, special shampoos all that girly stuff I really learned the value of  a dollar and the value of hard work.so as for my kids they will get an allowence just not a very big on. and they will work for it.

My kids are not going to get an allowance.  I never got an allowance and when I was old enough, I got a job.  I expect my kids to do the same.  Why should I pay my children for doing work around the house that they are expected to do?  Maybe I am a young old-school thinker, but an allowance is just not necessary in my eyes.  I'm just glad that my hubby and I feel the same.  Could you imagine hearing that argument?

Heck, I would have to get a second job to be able to afford that allowance.  For that matter, does she want to adopt someone - I could easily use an extra $50 for not doing much . ..  .

I don't think allowances should be tied to doing chores. Kids should understand that chores are just things we all do to keep the household running. I don't get paid to cook dinner, grocery shop, etc. Kids do need some spending money, but on an as-needed basis. Don't give them enough to allow them to get into trouble or be the target of lunch-money bullies.

My son is 10 and he gets an allowance.  We actually just changed a little bit of his chores and money from learning a bit more about discpline in parenting class.

he has a lsit of chores and task he is to do thru-out the day...everyday he can earn $1.00  he may also get money taken away and some days pay us..... if he has bad behavior and lack of responsibility.  We do the allowance for the Time mangement......Stay on task and applying himself....not for "doing your chores"  He also can earn PSP or PS2 time with doing things that are above what we expect of him.

his list....feed dog,clean up dog, take out trash, replace trash bag, homework, shower, bathrrom stuff, clean room, read book, behavior in school, playing time earned,Did we remind you of your list, parents sign list. was he responsible today, was he respectful today...

This is working for our son, it keeps him aware and in control of his actions and emotions....we think that this is best for our son....

We tackle this issue from several angles. While Matthew has certain jobs around the house that quite simply come with being a member of this family such as cleaning up after himself, keeping his own room clean and being responsible for his laundry, etc. there are other jobs he is rewarded for.

We as adults are responsible for ourselves and our homes and that is just part of life. My son is expected to do these things out of self-respect, personal pride and just being a generally responsible human being. Teaching him to do these things for himself is part of my job. I have a sense of peace in knowing that my son will be able to cook, clean and generally take care of himself. That is its own reward.

When he takes on extra jobs, those things that are not a part of his usual routine then we reward his extra efforts. Sometimes it's with extra pocket money or helping him pay for something he has been saving for... it could be any number of rewards. For example, tonight he is helping me steam clean the ceramic tile work in our kitchen. It's a big, time consuming job and not one that Brett or I relish doing, let alone an 11 year old! In exchange for a job well done, I am buying him a CD he has been after.

He has learned the value of his hard work over the years, understands that money doesn't just appear when we want/need it and at the same time he understands that he is still responsible for his own person,space and belongings. He also knows that putting in some extra effort voluntarily or when asked also has its benefits.

It works for us. Your mileage may vary.

Kids and teens need spending money.  One movie costs $8.00. A trip to the ice rink runs about $12. A trip to fast food runs $5-8. (my boys can eat!)  You can

- pay for chores

- pay for grades

- hand it out as needed or asked for

- pay an allowance

- give them weekly 'lunch money' and they keep the extra

- Throw a $20 bill in Free Parking for an extended Monopoly game. Winner takes all and it keeps them busy for hours.

We've tried all of the above.  When they were 8 or 9, we tried was an allowance.  It wasn't much - $5/week - out of which $2 went into a savings account and $1 went into the offering plate at church.  They got the idea of saving something of everything they made, and watching their own accounts grow w/each allowance or job. This habit has stayed with my 18 year old who now has a sizeable bank account from working at the movie theater.

Incidentally, my 15 year old son has friends that get $50 a week - he just knows we can't compete and he mostly works for what he gets, including mowing the lawn and yardwork ($10-20 depending on the size of the job.) 

 Good luck whatever you decide.  Kids have to understand that all families have different limits/standards.

When I was a teen my parents gave me $50.00 a week which was for my lunch everyday and what ever i wanted.

I know know as an adult that my parents did not teach me any responsiblity by giving me that, I am horrible with money don't even know how to balance or keep track of our check book.. THANK GOD FOR MY HUBBY....... But yes $50.00 for nothing is bad. It's not teaching that kid a thing...