Mom Left Feeling Like The Worst Person In The World After Asking Her Working Daughter To Start Contributing To Home Expenses

When do kids stop being kids? Should they start contributing to the family budget when they begin working (if they live with their parents, of course)?

Some parents worry about whether charging their adolescent rent is ever appropriate. The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

It is debatable. Of course, there are some general principles, but each case is unique, and parents must determine what is best for their family.

Mumsnet (the UK's largest parenting network) recently featured an interesting post. It was a story shared by Icanflyhigh.

She believed it was time for her 16-year-old daughter to start contributing, as she had begun an apprenticeship and was earning £14.5K (about $20K) each year. She didn't ask for much, either.

Only £50 (about $70) per week. However, when she requested the teen to contribute to the household budget, her daughter became enraged very quickly.

Icanflyhigh began to feel like the worst mother in the world for presenting this idea in the first place, as the whole situation escalated into a massive brawl. She is very confused.

As a result, she shared her tale on the internet and asked other parents if she was being unfair. Continue reading to find out how it all transpired.

When is it (if ever) appropriate to charge your teen and adult children rent?

Highwaystarz-Photography (not the actual photo)

OP shared her story: Her daughter is 17 and just started working

Mumsnet

OP’s daughter doesn’t have any expenses

Mumsnet

So OP asked her to start contributing to the family budget. And the amount was minimal

Mumsnet

Her daughter didn't like the idea. OP tried to explain, but she didn't care

Mumsnet

OP also asked her daughter to pay her own phone bill

Mumsnet

The money OP asked her daughter for would be used to pay for her driving lessons

Mumsnet

Now OP asks if she was right.

Mumsnet

Redditors shared their experiences

Mumsnet

And most of them contributed to household expenses when they started working

Mumsnet

Parents agree with OP

Mumsnet

And none of the Redditors who paid part of the expenses are complaining

Mumsnet

They think it was justified

Mumsnet

And taught them the value of money

Mumsnet

Talya Stone believes that it’s extremely important to teach kids the value of money. “They need to understand it from an early age,” she said. Talya is a former editor-in-chief turned parenting blogger and the woman behind Motherhood: The Real Deal and 40 Now What.

To help them, she suggested giving kids pocket money and their own wallet from a fairly young age. “Tell them to bring it along on days out and holidays, and pay for small items they want for themselves, even if it’s just a bar of chocolate,” she added.“I think I started doing this with my daughter when she was five, but this could even be done earlier. Understanding money, how much things cost, spending power, and how to save is a vital life skill.If your child wants a new toy, instead of buying it for them every time on demand, you can encourage them to save towards it and tell them you will pay for half as long as they do, for instance. This has never been more important in the increasingly materialistic world we live in.”

This is true...

Mumsnet

It is a valuable lesson...

Mumsnet

It is never too early to start learning...

Mumsnet

Good point...

Mumsnet

True...

Mumsnet

Not unreasonable at all

Mumsnet

It is not a lot of money...

Mumsnet

OP is teaching a lesson

Mumsnet

Everything we do has consequences, and the sooner she learns that, the better.

Mumsnet

One of the most important tasks parents have is preparing their kids for the world outside. Financial education and money management are essential lessons for children to learn.

While these themes are covered in part in the school curriculum through arithmetic, it is the parent's responsibility to ensure that the child understands how to live within their means.