What would you do?

[Mandy]

Originally Posted by Janet

I sure wish they had to wait here until they were 18. I know we can make them wait, but it's hard. They look forward to it from the time they are 13 I think.

They do i know ... our son is already telling us what kind of car he wants. All we do is giggle and tell him to WORK HARD and find a GOOD paying job LOL

[Janet]

That's what we tell ours. We just won't be able to afford to buy him a car. He's going to have to do that on his own. We will try to help him when we can, but it's mostly his responsibilty. It is so hard because a lot of his friends are telling him their parents are buying them a car. I just don't feel it teaches them any responibility. They need to know the value of the dollar and the value of their vehicle and the maintenance...etc. His very best friend informed him yesterday that his parents bought him a PT Cruiser for $8000 off of ebay. They are going this weekend to Pennyslvania to pick it up. He doesn't even get his license until May of next year. I just don't get some of these parents!! Most would think I'm just envious of them being able to do that for their son, but it's more than that really. It's not teaching them anything at all. My son seems to understand, but at this age..he still can't help being envious.

[Mandy]

We used to give give give, and think to ourselves "awww why not we only have 1" but we have so come back from thinking that, simply because kids need to learn the value of things, and they need to learn that it does NOT come all that easy, how hard they have to work to be able to buy the things they want. That's the only way they will start appreciating what they have.

My son get's a weekly allowence (pocket money) if he goes to movies with friends or he goes and does other things, or he needs parts for he's RC cars, he has to do it with he's own money.
He is now looking for a part time job, for extra's because we don't supply them anymore!

[Janet]

I know exactly what you mean! I have never been late on a payment or bill of any kind and I think it's because I started working the day after I turned 16 in a department store. I got my car and my parents did co-sign for me, but Mom was and is a tough lady. She told me that if I was ever late on my car payment or insurance, it didn't matter if I had the money, the car was going. I knew Mom meant it too, and that has stuck with me all these years. I want my son to know the value of a dollar. For the past two summers he worked at the flower shop his grandparents owned and he's so tight with his money, he has most of it left.

We never gave him an allowance. We explained (when he asked why he didn't and his friends did get an allowance) to him that we do things in and around our home because we take pride in it. His dad and I didn't get paid to do things around the house. BUT..if he went above and beyond what was expected of him.. then there would be monetary or gift rewards. It has worked for us. Of course we spoil him on his birthday and Christmas, but that's about it. He turning out to be a great young man!!