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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to not hand over pocket money to my dd's to buy MORE sweets?

57 replies

emsiewill · 27/05/2007 16:20

The dd's are having a "sleepover" tonight (as dd1's friends couldn't make it).

I have agreed that they can have a Twix and a bag of Haribo (yuk) sweets (have already bought them) for their midnight feast. That is to share - not one each.

I don't like them eating too many sweets and chocolates, the rule is supposed to be one item a week, although the reality is quite far from that.

For example, this week they had a bar of choc on Friday night, a bar of choc last night, and a bag of crisps with lunch today (don't normally have crisps in the house). So in reality they actually have more than I would like.

Dd1 (who is sitting here with me awaiting your replies) thinks I should give her and dd2 £2 each of their pocket money to go and spend on more sweets "because it's our money". I think what they already have is enough.

Bear in mind that this is 1/2 term week, and therefore they are likely to end up having more "treats" during the week, especially as their cousins are coming to stay.

So would you give them the money? Their argument is it's their money, they should choose, my argument is that they should save their money, and not waste it when they already have some food for their midnight feast...

OP posts:
Dogsby · 27/05/2007 16:39

let em

do aversion therapy

policywonk · 27/05/2007 16:39

Not there yet (sons are too young) so feel free to disregard me, but isn't pocket money partly about teaching the kids the harsh reality of cash? ie, if you spend it on swets now, it won't be there next week for half-term treats. If you're retaining control over how the money is spent, they won't learn that lesson so quickly.

Original poster
emsiewill · 27/05/2007 16:38

They are 7 and 10. They feel that they are really badly done to when it comes to sweets and chocolate - all their friends seem to have cupboards full of the stuff in their houses - we don't even have such a thing as a digestive biscuit...

They sort of earn their pocket money, no real defined tasks as such - dd1 is borderline OCD and keeps tallies of everything everyone does, which means we have to be 100% 'fair' or risk hours of moaning. So we tend to just get them to do stuff as and when.

OP posts:
Dogsby · 27/05/2007 16:30

i think speical occasion and it IS ehr money so dont be so mean

GrandMasterHumphreyLyttelton · 27/05/2007 16:30

I think it's fine as long as they are prepared to spend a great deal of their future pocket money at the dentist.
Fillings start at about £20, girls. It's your money.

(not a scary pic, btw)

Dogsby · 27/05/2007 16:30

love haribo

katybird · 27/05/2007 16:29

How old are your dds? I wouldn't cave in, they've already had more than the house rules this week and they've got more sweets to look forward to tonight. I know it seems harsh as it's their pocket money (do they earn it or is it just money you give them?) but at the end of the day you're the parent, and you're making the rule for the good of their health. Sorry girls!