Last updated on 12/29/08
Should children receive an allowance?
As kids get older, the things they want multiply and become more expensive. Instead of making them wait for a birthday, holiday, or special occasion, many parents give their children an allowance. Giving children allowances allows them to learn important life lessons, including saving, budgeting, and developing good spending habits.
When parents stop buying treats and toys for kids when they ask for it, kids will learn the value of saving as they begin saving their own money for the things they want. Parents can also help their children figure out how long it will take to buy something if they want to save for a specific item. Some parents will give their kids an allowance with the stipulation that they must save a certain percentage of it. This is a good way to teach kids how to budget by setting aside a certain amount to save and then budgeting the rest for their wants. Kids will learn how to manage their spending through trial and error as they learn to deal with their allowance. If your child is saving for something, then ends up spending all the money on something else on a whim, he will have to learn the consequences. The key for parents is to be flexible. Take time to plan an allowance system that works for your family, but do not be afraid to admit that the kids may have outgrown the old system and a new one is required.
In the Jewish Community
Although giving an allowance seems to be very educational and beneficial for children, it is not practical for every family. Families in the Jewish community are usually much larger than the national average. It might not be such a big deal to dole out ten dollars a week to two kids, but for families with eight or ten children, that amounts to eighty or one hundred dollars per-week.
Whether children are given an allowance or not, it is important for them to learn to budget their spending habits. Parents can let their children develop the skills that an allowance teaches by letting them make choices while shopping. Young children can easily understand that they can get either two cheaper outfits or one outfit that is more expensive.
There are many benefits to an allowance, but whether or not you decide to give your children one is up to you. If you are asking yourself whether to give your kids an allowance, look through the links listed below to find answers to your questions.
Frequently Asked Links
Should children receive an allowance? more
What do children need an allowance for?
What do other parents say about giving a child an allowance?
What do teens say about getting allowances?
What are some of the pros of giving a child an allowance?
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of giving a child an allowance?
When should a child start receiving an allowance?
Should pre-schoolers receive an allowance?
How should I set my child’s allowance?
How much should a child’s allowance be? more
How do other parents manage their child’s allowance?
Should an allowance be a perk or a payment for chores? more
Should parents have a say on what their children spend their allowance money on?
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Resources
Parenting Resources for the Jewish Community
Compiled by Rabbi Yakov Horowitz
Youth Venture
http://www.youthventure.org
Youth Venture helps young people develop their own opportunities for leadership through community service organizations, small business ventures, or after-school clubs.
Youth Rules
http://youthrules.dol.gov
The resources on this web site will help you understand what hours you can work, what jobs you can work and how you can help prevent workplace injuries.
Planet Orange
Discover Planet Orange — a free financial education site from ING DIRECT for kids, parents, and teachers.
www.orangekids.com/
Junior’s Clubhouse
Tools for teaching kids good money habits.
http://kids.daveramsey.com/
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