How old should a child be to start receiving pocket money? My eldest is now 5, in fact, she is 5 years, 8 months and 2 days old. I feel, she is old enough to get something, but I want something back. Personally I feel that children should be taught the value of money and the principle of working for it but I’m a little fuzzy on the age.
Of course I don’t think she should be out getting a job or living in the basement surfacing only to clean the house but surely even at this age there are things she can do to get some money? I have come up with the following…
In the mornings, she is to (after she is awake) tidy her bed, go to the bathroom, get her uniform on and on a daily basis, she is to keep her room in a semi state of tidyness. This means, after she has annhilated it by playing in there, most things need to go back where they belong and her books put back too. She does the bathroom and uniform bit anyway but it’s the keeping her room tidy bit that we have problems with. This will earn her £2.00 a week and if I have not had to remind her, she’ll get an extra 50p at the end of the week.
I want her to learn the fun of earning a bit of money to spend on herself and then the value of spending a little and saving a little but I am worried I may not be doing this right. How much is too much? or too little for that matter? Are her *chores* too lightweight and faffy? I don’t ever remember getting pocket money as a child but I know I did because I used to buy comics and chocolate all the time (I thank my lucky stars she seems to want to visit Disney as opposed to the local sweet shop).
Some readers may roll their eyes at me, but this is why I have written this teeny blog, to get advice, so feel free to tell me your experiences and what you have done/implemented in your household with regards to pocket money!
I have no idea, but whatever works for you. If your five year old can get herself ready for school the am without reminding you are doing great as our 7 year old is a nightmare getting ready for anything.
We did try pocket money at age five but it had no impact so we gave up. Instead if we go out somewhere where she can spend we give her a set amount she van spend.
I keep thinking we should give it another try but not sure she is ready. Every child is different, and what you have suggested seems
Thankyou xx
This blog was very interesting!
Mine is about to turn three but I have always showed her she has to tidy up after herself, even if I am doing most of it, she often helps me.
I think your chores aren’t too demanding for your little one, or to little for all that matters.
As per the reward, it depends how much you can give. I was never given pocket money from my mom as we didn’t have much in the first place but my nana occasionally did :).
For her age I guess anything from £2 to £5 pounds is ok. Perhaps if she decides to help you more or do extra chores you can increase by 50p according to what she does.
Earning the value of good work and money is never a bad thing. It give the kid the ability to understand that nothing comes free and the value of responsibility.
Thankyou Izzy xxx
Thanks for sharing. I think there are so many different ideas of what works, and as we all know all children are different so what works for one won’t necessarily work for another. Here’s my experience…
When my 8-year old was about 5 and a half/ 6 he was starting asking why he couldn’t just always have what he wanted and was always wishing it was his birthday/christmas so he could get this, that and the next thing. So we decided he was old enough to start learning the value of money and started giving him £1 a week. Of course he immediately wanted to spend his money, but quickly realised that that you can’t get much for a pound, and so we taught him to save up and once he had enough he could buy something bigger – he’s really into Lego and has managed to save to buy some good sets (it takes quite a few months). Now, he gets £2 per week and still saves it – he loves counting how much he has and seeing how close he is to buying the next thing he wants. We’ve also introduced the idea of small chores that have to be done and points system for being good in order to earn the pocket money
His younger sister is 5 and half and we thought it only fair that she should also get pocket money now (£1) but she is completely different. She’s never asked for things when it’s not her birthday/christmas and even with money to spend she’s still the same. I don’t think she’d notice if we didn’t give her the pocket money.
I wonder how my youngest (now 3) will be when it’s his turn to start getting pocket money?
My son is only 3.5 at the moment and is the same as your little girl, doesn’t ask for anything! I will see what he is like around 5 or 6 but I think that is a good age to start…I hope! xx
Great post. It’s something I’ve wondered about. I’d like to start giving my daughter pocket money (she is very close in age to yours), and like you I want her to know the value of money and working for it. I expect her room to be fairly tidy and her to get herself ready for school already, and she does that most of the time. I think I will ask her to help me hang out the washing and to help tidy the front room.
As for the amount of money, I suppose that really depends on how much money a family has. As we don’t have much money, and I know that I have two other children that I will need to keep this up for when they all get a bit older, I don’t want to start giving more than I’ll be able to afford later. I think I’ll start with 50p, because with that she could get herself a treat from the shop or bakery, or if she saved up for a few weeks she could afford a small toy. I worry that I sound quite strict and stingy now though.
It’s a tough one, isn’t it?
Not at all! I do think that we shouldn’t put ourselves in a position where we might have to say no another time. Even the smallest amount will teach them about the value of it and how to spend and save etc. Thanks for the feedback ! xx