Giving an Allowance

When I was growing up we were expected to help around the house AND at the family business. It was considered family responsibility. Once I remember someone in the family asking about an allowance because someone at school mentioned they got an allowance. Mom said, "Did you eat today? Did you have clean clothes to wear? There's your allowance." End of conversation! Wasn't said, or meant to be ugly. That was reality...

The first time I remember hearing someone talk about getting an allowance my younger sister and I were working at a summer camp. We roomed together. One night we heard a couple of girls in the next room complaining because they only got $50.00 a month (1970s) for allowance. My sister and I just looked at one another, and mouthed $50.00. WOW!

Later in the conversation the girls talked about how they had to buy all their clothes, shoes and things with the allowance.

My parents took care of those things. The three of us girls older girls and cousins were about the same age and size. We shared clothes. And the clothes mom made for us she made sure to make them in different styles because there was a good chance my younger sister would be wearing all three. (My younger sister worried if the clothes she really liked would make it past me. I was a tom boy.)

Some families can't... or decide not to give an allowance... and that's okay. Parents need to discuss their thoughts on giving an allowance without the children around. Whatever the parents agree on goes. There should be no "Well, dad (or mom) doesn't think you should get an allowance."

I think an allowance is a privilege not a requirement. If you are not teaching the child how to handle that money like tithe and savings along with the spending, then why are you giving an allowance in the first place?

My opinion, if you are just giving money without any planned training, you are setting your child up for a harder time when they are older. No one will just hand them money when they are on their own. They are going to have to work for it.


Have a Blessed Day,
Mama D

Hebrews 12:7 (NIRV)
Put up with hard times. God uses them to train you. He is treating you as children. What children are not trained by their parents?