Reply to Parents, How Much $ Did/Will You Allocate for Allowance?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It's not about creating hardships, it's about growing up. I want my children to have part time jobs because I think there is great value in them. Responsibility, hard work, team work, etc. It's a learning experience. I also think it is valuable for children of relative privilege to have experience working in lower skill jobs. IME, it builds appreciation for the hard work that people do and fosters respect and empathy.

I also believe strongly that there is value in learning to make do, hold off on making purchases, delay gratification. To learn to budget time and money wisely.

There may be many ways for kids to learn these skills/lessons, but one of the best ways I know is to be given some responsibility for one's own care and feeding. I don't believe that college should be an extension of childhood but rather the start of adulthood. It's the perfect time to start being in charge of one of the most essential life skills--the ability to take care of yourself.

My kids know that we are here to help out with any problems they can't solve on their own. But they also know that we are confident in their abilities to handle most of the day to day issues that arise. And they also know better than to think I'm going to pay for the beer. :shock:[/quote]

It's your child so do whatever. As for me, I plan to assist my child in maximizing all the opportunities the undergrad experience has to offer.

I used your 'growing up' logic while he was in HS. He worked part-time to pay for extras like gas money, entertainment, spending, etc--and also to learn how to be responsible, show up for work on time, work with others of varying backgrounds etc.

That responsibility foundation was built at home during his teens. I'm looking forward to seeing him apply it to his college studies. A full load of college courses is a full-time job in itself (which is why you rarely--if ever--see kids taking a bunch of AP courses bogged down with a job). In addition to those classes, I want him to fully enjoy the undergrad life of organizations, friendships and even those super long study sessions.

I didn't work during college but believe me, you learn all of those lessons about budgeting, delaying gratification etc once you're faced with real life responsibilities (like rent, car expenses, etc) and a starting salary in your dream career. Nearly every adult I know had to 'rough it' during those early 20s with roommates, skipped meals, etc. Not working during undergrad did not cause us to break. We stepped up to the plate knowing that we'd just spent 4 years preparing for the 'real world stuff'.

Oh yes, real life will be waiting for our children on the other side of that degree. The purpose of college, IME is to prepare them for it.[/quote]

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