Kids and money - the problem there are several parties. One of them - pocket money a child and teenager.
Why your child pocket money?
To give or not give?
You can find arguments for and against.
Arguments against the proposal, which led some parents:
- Not - the child does not know how to spend, parents should all buy it themselves;
- Too much emphasis on money matters - to be greedy, greedy;
- If the regular supply of money - will be capricious, spoiled, do not learn to restrain their desires do not earn - do not know the price of money will not be given value;
- Carry with them the money is simply dangerous, why do we need any extra problems (in the best case - envy of other children in the worst - or taken away, God forbid, pobyut, etc.).
Arguments for:
- The child needs to feel a complete person, as all around money: a mom, dad, older brother, classmates;
- Let the student independence and responsibility and expect to spend its budget; us make mistakes, because under our supervision and with small losses, learn how to anticipate the consequences of their actions - will not take risks in adult life;
- If not to - there are negative emotions that can develop to the envy of other children, greed, pereotsenivanie power of money, are not excluded at first small, then larger theft, etc.
As you can see, the views of a monetary issue can be diametrically opposed. And he dealt with in each family will be in its own way. Perhaps to make the right decision will help some of the details of this education.
At what age should a child give the money to the smaller (and then not very small) cost?
There are two points of view: and when he learns them to believe, or at enrollment. Although it is often those two things coincide in a child's life!
How to determine whether it was possible to have to give him some amount to spend at their discretion? Ask your child, pre-schoolers, from time to time to go to the store. Do not forget to take delivery of it, whether to calculate given the money to buy enough to assigned? If you feel that it is not yet ready for an independent expenditure, please explain, why refuse. Prompt, which is to learn how to get what you want. Naturally, with the funding of the child's will (or difficult) household responsibilities. Every year on the day of birth can increase the amount of payments - and thus agree with the child to increase its contribution to household work.
How to make pocket money?
This is determined by your real family ability and common sense. And do not repent, if you can not give his son or daughter of the same amount they receive their classmates. Simple and firmly say: "Excuse me, is that I can give you at this time." Request more? Discuss with him or with her family budget with the figures in his hands. Maybe after some time you will be able to comply with the request (after payment of the loan or after the planned major purchases). Agree on the timing, and if we have promised - to fulfill its promise.
It may be true, that you are not restrained in vehicles. How to define the upper border of renditions to childish costs? Suggest, again, common sense. It is not necessarily the amount of pocket money your child must grow with the increase in your family budget.
It seems, in a matter experts converge. To give pocket money you need regularly. Those who pomladshe - once a week, more than adults - a monthly basis.
How to give?
American experts say there are four system vydavaniya money (a good one - only one):
- At any time at its whim (even if there is an agreement with the child on regular payments);
- Solely as a reward for any merit or work at home;
- Regularly in a certain amount, while, without any conditions or reservations;
- Regularly, but subject to spend money responsibly.
Is not difficult to guess that the best of them can be described as the last account. What does "subject"? First - specify what these costs are the sum of (school supplies, sweets, entertainment or something else), and which waste is fully excluded (alcohol, cigarettes, etc.). Second - the parents agree with my son or daughter that would not be deprived of pocket money because of misconduct, but will always require compliance with certain household chores.
Does self-control spending of the child?
Do attentive parents have the opportunity to unobtrusively track, which disappear issued amount. Requiring full financial statements should not be, especially from a teenager. With strict control over expenditure is lost very meaning possession pocket money. So the child will never learn how to dispose of their own. Not to mention that we did not get any pleasure. Need to intervene only if you firmly believe that the money spent on unworthy goal. For example, on cigarettes, drink, etc.
What if a teenager asked the additional amount, but do not want to say to that? In the parent's head zakradyvayutsya worst suspicions. Remember yourself at this age. For adolescents with maximalism and devotion to friends this may be a matter of life and death. Psychologist Juris Blumbergs believes that it is better to give then to understand the situation, than to deny and then the rack that did not support a son or daughter. Up one's ears should be "imperceptible" to spend when there is no tangible embodiment of these costs (excuses that the disco, the unknown where eaten sweets, etc.).
Is it worth it to encourage or sanction the money?
Here on this subject can be found many different expressions. For example, the study - is also a work, not of the light, why not encourage a child? Others emphasize: if made considerable efforts had good results, though understand that his merit value, and the more their value. But this should be any great achievement (to win the competition on any subject, has passed a difficult exam, etc.).
If it is a permanent responsibility for domestic tasks, they performed unselfishly. Each family member contributes to the household, including a child. However, at home and sometimes he can do much, take a long time and the work force. For example, when building houses, repairing cars or apartments, the development of dachas. Then the "bonus" payments would be entirely appropriate. At the same time, giving money to child, it is worth to emphasize that the most important thing in this case - no monetary reward, but that he had mastered a new and challenging work.
With regard to penalties, the completely deprive a child or young person pocket money is not recommended. To reduce the normal amount, perhaps, is acceptable - depending on the seriousness of the misconduct.
How to teach a child to handle money?
If it is clear that the money spent on the small stuff, or simply lost, not to reimburse the loss - even to answer for the consequences of his levity.
Gradually, in the amount of ice cream and entertainment to add money to spend. So the child will learn to calculate your budget. For example, at the end of the month you need to buy a ticket at the beginning of a quarter to provide for the purchase of books, etc. Yes, it may happen that the child spends the money not for other purposes. Then, to add value to the purchase of emergency (eg, travel) as a debt. And then subtract it from the pocket money.
Many children getting the money, spend all at once. In this case, try to divide the total amount of small parts, and give their child two or three times a week. Gradually you can increase these parts.
If a son or daughter going to make yourself "big" purchase, help to choose a thing, Give, where you can get a discount.
In European countries, some parents offer the child a separate account at the bank. He learns to perform certain banking transactions, such as contact with a credit card, calculate interest on the deposit. Of the provisions in his name can take the sum of money to buy clothes, school supplies, the monthly payment for extra classes, etc.
Of course, you will acquaint the child with his family, and accounting. This report not only on costs. If the child does not know how many parents, the family has no confidence in relations with one another. Let your child the opportunity to express their views about the family expenses, to participate in the planning of shopping trips.
Is it worth it in some difficult circumstances, to attract private funds in the child's family budget? It is possible that this will help him to feel their involvement in solving common problems, their need. Of course, then the children's money should be returned (with interest or without - is solved individually).
