DISCUSS: Okay for parent to open bank account for child without consulting spouse?

[Anonymous]

I opened a bank account and a brokerage account for my daughter the week her social security card came in the mail. I didn't discuss it with my wife. I just did it and gave her the account info when I got home.

[Anonymous]

I would be thrilled he took the initiative. One less thing for me to do and going and dealing with someone at the bank is my personal idea of hell.

[Anonymous]

If my husband opened a bank account without speaking with me first (even if it’s for our kids) he’d be sleeping on the couch for a month. Parents don’t make those types of decisions without talking about it. For those saying it’s “no big deal” you clearly have bad marriage communication.

All decisions regarding kids should be talked about between both parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All decisions for children should be discussed with both parents. Camps, school, money, etc. If I signed up my kids for a camp without telling my spouse...that wouldn't go over well. It's just respect. Even if it's just an FYI. The people saying it's no big deal are not thinking straight. You don't open a bank account without telling your spouse. That's fishy.

Give me a break. My DH has absolutely no interest in knowing what camps the kids go to. If you discuss that level of detail with your spouse that’s fine, but it certainly isn’t the norm in our circle of friends. If we discussed the minutiae of the kids’ activities we would have no time to discuss anything else.

Exactly. I can’t imagine having discussions about camps. Heck I’m not sure we even talk about what schools our kids are going to go to.

If that’s the case then you aren’t very involved in your kid’s lives. Which is fine. To each their own. But, no parent should sign legal documents on their child’s behalf without the other parent knowing. That’s messed up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If my husband opened a bank account without speaking with me first (even if it’s for our kids) he’d be sleeping on the couch for a month. Parents don’t make those types of decisions without talking about it. For those saying it’s “no big deal” you clearly have bad marriage communication.

All decisions regarding kids should be talked about between both parents.

I don’t agree. I trust my spouse to make decisions for us and for our family. That doesn’t mean we have bad communication. I think you are projecting.

[Anonymous]

I can’t see how someone reasonable would be mad about actually having a bank account for a kid unless it’s a really inconvenient bank or something? There must be an underlying issue or lack of trust somewhere, because a bank account for a kid is actually a really responsible decision. So, I don’t get why you would be upset.

Would you somehow have come to the conclusion that your kid shouldn’t have a bank account...?

[Anonymous]

Why would your spouse open your child a bank account without talking to you about it? I think that's something you would know the answer to.

[Anonymous]

I'd probably tell my husband I'm doing it but I never "discuss" those things. Why is it an issue?

[Anonymous]

Do you have money management issues, OP?

[Anonymous]

DC’s Godmother opened one for DC without mentioning it. I am fine with it.

With a spouse, it should have come up in conversation the day the account was open but didn’t need your permission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It wouldn’t even occur to me to consult with my spouse over something like this. And frankly I’d be really happy if my spouse did it without involving me because it would be one less thing on my plate. Seems a strange thing to be upset about.

This. We don’t need to both be involved with all the minutiae of every child-related decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If my husband opened a bank account without speaking with me first (even if it’s for our kids) he’d be sleeping on the couch for a month. Parents don’t make those types of decisions without talking about it. For those saying it’s “no big deal” you clearly have bad marriage communication.

All decisions regarding kids should be talked about between both parents.

Neither of us has ever slept on the couch nor would we because we are reasonable adults. I’m not sure what type of marriage you have where that is even a consideration but it’s not one I want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If my husband opened a bank account without speaking with me first (even if it’s for our kids) he’d be sleeping on the couch for a month. Parents don’t make those types of decisions without talking about it. For those saying it’s “no big deal” you clearly have bad marriage communication.

All decisions regarding kids should be talked about between both parents.

It’s a freaking savings account, not a tattoo.
I don’t know how people like you get through life without having a stroke by age 30.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If my husband opened a bank account without speaking with me first (even if it’s for our kids) he’d be sleeping on the couch for a month. Parents don’t make those types of decisions without talking about it. For those saying it’s “no big deal” you clearly have bad marriage communication.

All decisions regarding kids should be talked about between both parents.

What is the downside or permanent implications of opening your child a bank account?

[Anonymous]

I wonder if opinions on this issue are split by HHI? We have a high HHI and a child’s bank account doesn’t register as significant. I guess if funds were tight I might feel differently.