will u make your kiddies pay board???

[diamonds22]

lol I wonder if this will end up as a debate?? heheheh oh well..at least it will make our day more interesting!!:D

Ok so what do we all think about making our kids pay board when they are still at home??? personnally, I think its inappropriate if they are under the age of 18..but reasonable if they are over 18 (although I still don't think I could do it cos there still my kiddies)

My parents tried to make me pay board when i was 15...whilst still snooping though my room....hitting me even though I was a young lady and not ever helping me pay for my driving lessons or help me get to work or school (2jobs)..hence my reasons for moving out so young at 15.

So what do we think..will you make your kids pay board when they are older and if so what are your reasons for/or against it??

[Hokey Pokey]

I payed board when my daughter came along, $70 a week.
I think when they are 18 they can contribute to a little bit, I would prolly charge no more then 50 a week to go towards food and electricty. Just to get them ready for handling their money and for when they get into the world themselves. :thumbsup:

[Jem]

when i was 14 me and my boyfriend lived with my parents... we had our own room, shower and loo, underneath the house (like a granny flat)
We paid $75.00 per week, which included our food (we ate with them for tea)
And electricity.. milk, bread..and what not :)

I would have the occassional whinge about it... but now, i can look back and say, that they taught me a bit of responsibility :thumbsup:

[MummyCharmzy]

Yes when they start working part time they will pay board but I will be secretly banking it all for them for when they move out or want to buy a car etc.

Everything in life costs (sad but true), I think paying board is a very valuable way to start teaching them this and will give them a suprise helping hand from THEMSELVES when they move out or buy a car.

[Cinta]

Before i moved out of home i payed about $50 per fortnight. Its not much but i think it taught me some good values. I think charging board when the child starts full time work is fine if they are earning enough. So i have voted around 18-20 but just depends on the circumstances - eg. if the child is at uni and only working part time i would not charge board, or if the child didnt have a job i wouldnt charge them board but i would strongly encourage them to keep looking for a job.

For my kids i would charge a little bit of board if they are working full-time. But i would put that money away and bank it for their future, eg. things like weddings, 21st's etc. :D

Just how i would do it :)

[Supermum]

...personnally, I think its disgusting if they are under the age of 18..but reasonable if they are over 18 (although I still don't think I could do it cos there still my kiddies)
It all depends on individual circumstances.

We had very little money when I was growing up. My parents worked long and hard, imbued the same values in me and I got a part-time job at 14 and a half. They worked a full day at work to provide and then came home and worked some more. I think it's only fair to contribute even just a little if the family is impoverished and needs a hand with finances. They went without every day for me. I never expected my parents to pay for the extras such as label clothing, driving lessons, socialising or a car. All of that said, the money I gave them they put into a savings plan and gave it back to me when I was 18. That's Karma.:thumbsup:

[Briannabear]

I didnt vote on the poll because I couldnt put an age on it. I think its fair that they start paying board when they get a job. (part time or full time). It teaches them responsibility with their money.
Thats what my mother did with us and it worked well. We understood how much it costs to live and support a family (especially because she was a single mum). I started working when I was 14 but not for money. I didnt actually earn money until I was 15 so I paid board then. It wasnt much - but relative to what I was earning at the time.

[Jax Tellers Old Lady]

I would ask for a small amount each week when he turns 18 and i will put it away to help him get started on his own when he decides he wats to leave the nest. My mum didnt make my pay anything until i had a fulltime job and what i was paying was a very very small amount when i think back to everything my mum did for me i shouldve been paying alot more.

[kymmy]

I think once they have their own money
and you don't receive any govt benefits for them
they should pay something towards the running of the house
when i turned 16 i payed mum $50 a fortnight

[bec79]

I also didn't vote on the pole because I really think it depends on their circumstances. If they had a full-time job...yes. Otherwise...no.

[diamonds22]

Personally I think disgusting is a bit harsh. It all depends on individual circumstances.

We had very little money when I was growing up. My parents worked long and hard, imbued the same values in me and I got a part-time job at 14 and a half. They worked a full day at work to provide and then came home and worked some more. I think it's only fair to contribute even just a little if the family is impoverished and needs a hand with finances. They went without every day for me. I never expected my parents to pay for the extras such as label clothing, driving lessons, socialising or a car. All of that said, the money I gave them they put into a savings plan and gave it back to me when I was 18. That's Karma.:thumbsup:

I amended to 'inappropriate'...although for me personally, and like you said depending on individual circumstances, the term ‘disgusting’ is more then suffice in my circumstance.

[Supermum]

Thank you - and I've amended my retort.:thumbsup:

[Scout]

My DP says that our little man will be out of the house at 18 :eek:! That will be over my dead body, if the little guy still wants to be with us but I would make him contribute something.

We would like our little guy to have a PT job at 14-15. I'm not sure if we would make him pay board but we will do something to teach him the value of money. I am an only child and really did get it too good - money I earnt was for me, my parents bought me what I wanted including a car and never made me pay board (I did leave home at 19 though). To this day, I still struggle with the concept of money but DP is excellent in that area so I let him take charge so we get ahead. I don't want my boy to be clueless like me!

[Shazbutt]

I paid mum $50 a fortnight (out of my C/L payments when i got youth allowance) for food, washing/ironing, and petrol for driving me around. Plus we looked after the little sis's alot, and helped bath, dress, feed them etc, washed up, vacuumed, mowed the lawn etc. At the time i thought it was alot, but now i guess not...well, maybe the mowing the lawn bit. (And mum wasn't mean or lazy, she had bad skin allergies, so couldn't do alot with water, detergent, and grass....)

I think when the girls are old enough, or have a job, then i'll ask them for a bit, but probably not until at least 16, or when they get youth allowance and i don't get family payments for them anymore.....

[ETsMum]

I didn't vote but I think it is fair for kids to pay board when they leave high school. Up until then, I would expect my children to make contributions to the running of the house hold in other ways... eg, if I am up all night driving them here, there and everywhere, I would like to think that they would... ummm... wash the car, or mow the lawn or.... well... I can dream can't I..... :p

[Baby Girl]

I didn't vote purely because of the age demographics listed.

No matter what age my kids are when they finish school (and get a job) they will pay board. I don't expect them to work until they finish school unless they want to. I think it takes too much time away from study and makes socialising all to easy - much more fun than school work. Don't get me wrong my girls will be allowed to go out with friends and stuff but I will give them money for it unless they want to get a job then they can pay their own outings.....

Any board that they do pay will be put away to contribute to their weddings (at the moment I have girls.....) and if they don't want to get married then they will probably get it when they move out to help with buying a car, house or whatever...

[Vespera]

Well I paid board from 16 because I was working full time. $100 a week was 1/3 of the running expenses for the house including all food. This also came with increased 'ownership' of the house. Wasnt a case of their house, their rules as we were all paying equal to the running of the house. Felt like I was sharing a house with my parents :)

One of my friends only worked casually so she paid her parents 25% of her income in any week so if she earned $100 she paid them $25 and if she earned nothing she paid nothing.

I am a fan of paying board, there are no nasty surprises when you move out, you have an appreciation of the fact rent needs to be paid every week and how far your pay will take you. :thumbsup:

[diamonds22]

I didn't vote purely because of the age demographics listed....


Sorry...tried my best!! lol its my first poll.. I didnt know what I should or shouldnt include..so i just covered the basics.:o

[Kaycee]

I like the idea of making them pay a percentage of their wage once they are working. If they got to a certain age (maybe 21) and it really was time for them to stand on their own two feet I would increase it to market rates and invoice them for extra services, to encourage them to look at other options. I know it sounds hard-line, but in my defence, we are investing money for them which will be a good leg-up for their education or whatever. Also I really think that often at that age you think the world owes you a living (I know I did) and somehow you must learn to take responsibility for yourself.

[Peaceangels]

I voted on 18yrs+, but I would only apply this if they had a job/regular pay.
I think it is only fair to contribute in some way financially (even if it is only small) along with helping around the house.

In a way it prepares you (slightly) for when you move out of home, knowing that you have to budget your pay packet.

[nemosmum]

I voted for 20+ coz Im kinda hoping ds will want to attend uni etc

I worked pt from the age of 14 but to be honest I would prefer it if my ds doesnt get a job while his still in school, this is a personal thing an is based on my experiences. Having a pt job whilst still at school put unwanted pressure on me and it took away valuable study time/ and time to be a carefree kid

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

I payed board when my daughter came along, $70 a week.
I think when they are 18 they can contribute to a little bit, I would prolly charge no more then 50 a week to go towards food and electricty. Just to get them ready for handling their money and for when they get into the world themselves. :thumbsup:
I totally agree with this, when i started getting my own income i contributed to bilss n that and i think it does teach you responsability.

[mum2four]

I voted before 18 (but there weren't really enough options) This would depend on if they were working etc. If we can afford it we will put that money aside for them for a deposit for a house, but if not it would go to the day to day running of the house. Don't forget family assistance gets cut back when they start earning and from memory they can claim austudy at 16 and then that cuts it out of family assistance. Don't know about everyone else, but my family assistance goes to the food, mortgage, electricity and such, so if they are going to be given that money and just use it to buy ****, i'd rather at least some of it go back into household expenses :rolleyes:
I really think kids need to learn that things like food etc don't come free before they leave home so they don't get a rude shock when they try to make it on their own. I love my kids, but doesn't mean they will get a free ride and not learn the value of money and hard work :thumbsup:

[becca74]

Yes when they start working part time they will pay board but I will be secretly banking it all for them for when they move out or want to buy a car etc.

Everything in life costs (sad but true), I think paying board is a very valuable way to start teaching them this and will give them a suprise helping hand from THEMSELVES when they move out or buy a car.

Havent read the rest of the thread yet, but what a :idea: brilliant idea :idea:

If we are financially secure when they are that old (God Willing!!) then that is what I think we will do......

If we are financially struggling (God Forbid!) I think that their contribution would have to be going towards helping to make ends meet....it is only fair, as I think it is imperitive that they learn responsibility once they are earning their own money.....I have too many friends who still free-load off their parents, and when they whinge about life I just think 'how pathetic! try surviving without your parents help and then I might take you seriously!' :rolleyes:

[nkenward]

I paid $50 p/week for board once I had a full-time job - age 20. I paid this for 4 years. My parents really didn't need the money but saw it as an important learning curve.

But when DH & I got engaged - they said 'oh you know the money you paid in board - we put this in a bank account to spend on your wedding'. So there was about $10000 for our wedding. I thought it was a great incentive.

So I think I will be doing the same thing with my kids.

[Mister Noodle]

Goodness, no.

My lot were heavily into the extended-family concept, as we plan to continue.

The way it worked for us was that family are expected to pitch in for each other, as needed, no questions asked. So our parents never charged us rent (indeed, helped out a lot from time to time), but on the other hand they have an equal claim on us if they ever need it.

It's worked pretty well so far :)

[Oscar's mum]

I didn't vote as it really depends on the circumstances.

In my family my mother charged me $50 a week board when I left school as I started working full time, my sister on the other hand same age only worked part time and did a TAFE course, she still earnt the same as me after the board was deducted from my wages $150 and yet she didn't have to pay board. This caused alot of arguments in the house and ultimately led to me moving out. So I really think by saying oh yes I am going to charge them board when they work full time you need to take into account the amount of money other's are earning too!;)

[Ana Gram]

I didn't vote as it has nothing to do with age for us. If DD decides to get a casual job at 15 then she will be expected to start paying some money for board so she can learn what earning money is all about ie it very rarely goes on stuff you want to use it for.

[SassyMummy]

If my daughter is in school, then she will not have to pay rent in any way, shape or form. If she leaves school (either early or because she completes it), then she will be expected to get a job and pay rent. I will make it reasonable - nothing too harsh...but she will learn that she can't bludge and freeload.

If she's in University or whatever, then I'll ask that she pays for her own food, or contributes financially in some way (or, if we have a baby or something - I'll be 38 when she's 19 - she can pay by babysitting or whatever).

As soon as she earns her own money (even through a part-time job during high school) any "extras" can be paid for by herself. That means clothes, movies, phone credit etc etc. I'll pay for clothes if she NEEDS them (I feel she needs them) but other than that - she's on her own in that department.

I live at home with my mother and pay rent at the moment. I also buy everything for myself (well, not toilet paper...that's a "family purchase" lol). I wouldn't expect to get everything for free. My mother simply can't afford to support myself, my daughter and herself (and my brother who comes and goes when things go wrong...) on one wage. Screw that - it's unfair!

[aardvark]

It's not an age thing, it's a circumstances thing.

If they are in full time employment (apart from an apprenticeship), then they should pay fair board.

If they are studying or doing an apprenticeship, then I would not ask for board.

[CJJHRA]

My parents wouldnt take any money from us. Mum would even buy bubs nappies and food and other bits too (DP was working, I was just at home)

I admit, I was spoilt (still am to a point) But my parents have always been like that, wanting to help us out were they can, and would give us the shirt off their back if they had too. They arent rich or well off, they are both on the pension, no saivings, no super, but are lucky enough to own their own house now. If there werent as generous as they were to us kids, they would be much better off now, but they are happy.

Wether or not I charge my kids board will depend on how well off we are, and if they are wise with their money. Once DS#1 hits year 11, doesnt that mean he will get Austudy payments (if he continues to study, like hes planning to anyway) and that means I wont get family tax for him then? Well if thats the case, and we are still like we are, I will be haivng to ask him to contribute out of necessity more than anything.

It so totally depends on circumstances at the time hey. But I think it will teach them responsibility contribuiting towards bills, and not just spending it on what they like. I really wish my parents made us pay our way!

[Mamaduke]

We will never charge our sons rent!:no:
If I wanted to make some cash out of the people living under my roof I would have had boarders and not children.
They can learn responsibility without me charging them to live in their home.

[madvoice]

If said child is living at home and is over the age of 18 and has some form of employment board will be a percentage of the pay packet. I still have many years to think about terms though ;)

[MumsieMel]

i picked between 18-20, but only if they have a job.
And they feel comfortable doing so IYKWIM?

and it wouldnt be so much board but contributing to the household supplies. :thumbsup:

I figure by then they are staying with us for comfort anyway! :hugs:

[jessgray]

i was living with my aunty from age 12 till 6 weeks before my 18th and didnt have a job and i paid $100 a fortnight for board. and i only got living at home rate of youth allowance :thumbsdown:

i think if they have a job and arent just relying on youth allowance then sure they can pay board.but it should be negoitated how much and whats included.

[cjb/jbvd]

my M &D got us to pay board when we got a regular job. not a huge amount. we also had to pay for any mobile or long distance calls we made. we had to buy our own clothes if we wanted something special. mum bought basic clothes, but when i wanted something else, i had to pay for it. i also paid for any trips with my friends to the movies and stuff like my school formal dress. i always thought that this was fair enough as my parents always paid for all my sports, music, schooling and were forever driving me and my friends around. i will do the same when my boy gets his first job.

[Sarie]

I think yes. Once they are out of school and working they should contribute. I left home at 19, but once I started earning money I was expected to pay board. I think it helps to prepare you for leaving home.

[jasminesmum]

My eldest son has just turned 16. He has had part time jobs before and that is his own money to spend on what he wants.
But when he leaves school and is working full time he will be paying some sort of board. It will probably depend on what he is earning.

[diamonds22]

We will never charge our sons rent!:no:
If I wanted to make some cash out of the people living under my roof I would have had boarders and not children.
They can learn responsibility without me charging them to live in their home.

Thats honestly exactly what I think, I remember when mum and dad asked me to start paying at 15! (I thought I was there legal obligation/responsibility to support me till I was 18..not the other way around for them to use me for a quick buck)

I felt like they were 'kicking me out of the family' or like I didn’t belong anymore..it really hurt...I moved out quick smart (because of other reasons too) ...and I remember thinking I would never expect my kids to do anything like that.

[Ana Gram]

If DD is under 18 and has a job, I will be expecting her to pull her weight but it's not to make a quick buck! I'm sorry if that's what your parents did to you but that isn't the only reason people do it. This is how my child will learn how to budget and that with money comes responsibility which isn't always fun. Any board money she gives us will be going in her special savings account for when she finishes school.

[Sarie]

I don't know that they were wanting a quick buck. Probably more to help with the family finances. I know my family was far from well off, so anything that I could contribute helped to go to food or bills.

[becca74]

I don't know that they were wanting a quick buck. Probably more to help with the family finances. I know my family was far from well off, so anything that I could contribute helped to go to food or bills.

I agree with you. I'd voted that once over 18 I'd charge board, but I would put it off if they were in full time uni or Tafe or whatever.....I think I would start if they got a job and asserted to me that they wanted to be treated like an adult (so if it were 15 they wanted to do this, this would be the price they would pay)!

To me, to qualify as an adult means someone who is capable of being independant. I think a person will stay childlike while they are encouraged to remain dependant on mummy and daddy.

I respect my mother for charging me board as soon as I started working ($50 a week). But with it came more freedom - I was allowed to have my boyfriend live with me (he paid board too) and I could come and go unannounced with no curfew. My mother was also a single mum, looking after me and my 3 younger brothers, so financially it would have been down right cheeky of me to free-load from her once I'd started working.

[diamonds22]

If DD is under 18 and has a job, I will be expecting her to pull her weight but it's not to make a quick buck! I'm sorry if that's what your parents did to you but that isn't the only reason people do it. This is how my child will learn how to budget and that with money comes responsibility which isn't always fun. Any board money she gives us will be going in her special savings account for when she finishes school.


Oh no for my parents that’s what it was about (though I know that’s not the reason why others on here want there kiddies to pay board..they are doing it for the right reasons and I do understand it from there perspective)

My parents are well off...but are very very selfish...its all about them and money (even though they are fairly rich..they are total scruges..if it doesn’t help them they don't wanna know about it)...at least I can laugh about it now..but I wont/can't forget the feelings that I felt when they told me to pay up or get out so they could get there other houses paid off without having to put out for me (they weren’t trying to teach me responsibility...I was very responsible for my age...I love my parents..I just don't agree with how they did things)...so because of my circumstances, I wont be making my children pay board...thats not to say making kids pay board/contribute to the house is wrong..its just not the way I personally want to do. :)

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer..its just what we each feel comfortable with from our own upbringings

[mof2bz]

Hi,
I didn't have to pay board until I had a full time job. Only $70 a week. But mum was still doing the cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing etc so I didn't mind. It's nothing like you pay when you move out and have to deal with rent! I'd probably do the same with my boys. Not while their still studying or stuff but if they worked full time and still lived at home I'd want them to help out a bit....

[MariaO]

When we were over 18 and earning we had to pay a proportion at home. Only a nominal amount when monies earnt were tiny but it was the principle. I tend to agree with that approach.

[Mummy-2-2]

I will definitely be making my kids pay once they have an income.

I really do think it helps with learning responsibility, but that said, I will never make it so harsh that they would move out from it. They will know that the money they "give" me, will be there for them when they want it for some large purchase. ie car, house, wedding, baby etc

I will also have no problem with buying things for them if they need it or want it (for birthdays etc) I think family should help out, but not do it for kids as they need to learn.

My hubby never had to pay anything to stay at home, and was still there at 22, his parents were paying his EVERYTHING, including our first date. All his money went on cd's etc. and this was a guy who had gone to uni and wsa working full time on quite a decent wage.

[SassyMummy]

I wouldn't be charging my daughter to earn money - anything she gave me would go towards bills/food/etc for things that SHE uses...so in a sense, she's only paying for things she'd need to buy herself if she wasn't living at home...and even then, I'd charge much less than she'd ACTUALLY need.

I'll still be young when DD is an adult (well, not really old...I'll be 37 when she's 18), so I'll still be able to work full-time...so it wouldn't be ABOUT money that much. It would be more about teaching her that in life, you don't get things for doing nothing. Becomming independent involves responsibility, and in order to help teach her about that, she'll have to pay her way...and even do her share of chores (like hanging out the washing - I HATE doing that! lol).

I don't want her to think that, because I CAN support her then she can just freeload for as long as she likes. Sure, she can live with us, but she can do it because she WANTS to and not because it means she can bludge off of us. If she's able to work/study then she will be doing one of those - or at least looking to do either one.