How much does your teen cost?

It's definitely privileged for a child to request steak routinely. If you are fine with that then so be it, but don't argue otherwise. Healthy eating doesn't have to involve steak either!

Why do parents HAVE to pay this though? Maybe you have to be realistic about them contributing? Take a year out and save, as many of my son's friends are planning, or study part time?

Nobody said that though, don't misrepresent.

Hah! Just wait until they go to university. We had two teenagers away at university and only entitled to the very lowest maintenance grant (so only £4.2K each per year).

Between them they were costing us just over £2K per month.

There's not necessarily anything wrong with eating healthily and paying a premium to do so, but it's also a good idea for the child to know just how much this costs. Many teens have no idea how much food costs!

So many people encouraging very 'high maintenance' with no thought for how it's paid for too though.

I am sure many do, but some pp's comments suggest their children really don't see it at all.

At Uni was the expensive time for us
we paid them £1100 a month to cover rent and everything else

It's interesting the kickback you're getting on this. For a 'good' week here, I'd probably spend about that - wide variety of veggies, good quality protein, lots of nuts and seeds. Personally, it has a huge impact on my life when I'm eating like this (I don't always!) and I feel so much healthier, happier and clear headed. I understand if you can't afford it, but if you can and your child wants to eat that way, why wouldn't you want your child to have the best they can as it does make a huge difference in terms of energy/lifestyle.

I am chaildfree, reading parents of teenagers here is eye opener.

For me, it's the goady assumption that people paying more are crazy and doing their kids no good.

I grew up super low income, had none of what I see listed here, and I understand not everyone can afford it. But absolutely my DS will have most of these opportunities, because though I hope to teach him the value of money in other ways it won't be by making sure he has the cheapest version of everything. I don't want him to have to 'learn' that we can't afford to do sports/activities/social things because somehow that's good for him 'so he won't be spoilt' 😬

Maybe she will @Differentstarts

But why not buy her healthy foods for now (even if expensive) given I can afford it?

I'm finding the notion that she's spoilt because I buy her the steak that she wants to eat rather than chicken nuggets which she doesn't, quite strange. But even if it is spoilt, I am totally happy to indulge it. Likewise an expensive hobby which is also good for them.

So many judgemental people on here. 🙄

She will soon stop eating whole food when she moves out and has to buy her own. I can't believe how spoilt so many teens are and then we wonder why they can't function in the adult world

My teen per month

School dinners: £80
mobile: £8
Scouts: £12
instrument 1: £60
instrument 2: £65
sport 1:1’s: £280
group sport: £120
Gym costs linked to sport including strength and conditioning: £134

then there are the usual haircuts, clothes, shoes. No pocket money given - they have enough due to activities, so if need something then I also pay for that.

£400 for food for one person? Have you got mug stamped on your forehead?

@CaptainCabinetsTrappedInCabinets
I've given it a lot of thought, but, I can afford it, and she eats incredibly healthily, so, why not? She knows what it costs, and has decided that she intends to prioritise eating like this as an adult (we'll see!) so is thus trying hard at school to get the grades to get the job that will fund it. I cannot see anything wrong with this.

Obviously the answer is to pay the DC to do the cleaning. I'll be doing this as soon as my DC are in secondary.

Will you now.

We don't pay for chores, I don't get paid for chores so it doesn't make sense to pay children/teens to do them, they will have to do it for free when they're older. They need to learn that part of living with other people and being respectful is that we all have to chip in.

I didn’t pay for childcare as I stayed home and my teen is very cheap to keep.
Still not rich though. 😂

My children realise how fortunate they are, lots will.

I agree about the unsolicited advice. 😂

Also agree about childcare, I was a SAHM so didn’t have that expense, but I know people paying thousands for a couple of kids in nursery, so even if you give teens a good allowance, driving lessons, pay for phones and hobbies etc, it’s usually still cheaper than those years you need childcare. You’ll be rich when they’re teens. 😂

And no school lunch money in my house, you make sandwiches, all of us.

Decent phones are more expensive than a £120 handset 😂 Mine loves his phone, as do I with mine, so neither of us would be happy with a crappy phone. More than happy to pay £60 a month for two £1000 handsets and unlimited calls, texts and data.

As teens I paid their phone bill £10 each on giffgaff (handsets were bought outright and secondhand, not the latest) they got £60 allowance (5 years ago so perhaps say £80 now), then I bought clothes twice a year plus kept them in basics like underwear. I paid for orchestra subs (£75 a term) and instrument lessons (varied, lots but one is now pro) but that's it. Certainly no nail money etc. I paid for basic haircuts twice a year at local salon I went to I suppose. My dc are now young adults and very good with money

£100 pocket money is huge!! My 16 year old gets £30. My 18 year old has now stopped pocket money as she's working at weekends. We do pay for one driving lesson a month.

£30 is an increase on last year!

What does your teen spend it on? Wondering if maybe I'm just paying in other ways.

I definitely don't spend £50 a month on clothes for them though. 16 year old in uniform so barely uses casual clothes. Expensive clothes items are for Xmas and bdays or a special treat. I buy tights pants and socks when they run out.

I will say though that I spend around £200 a year on bras for one of my children as she is a bit special in that area.

£400 for food for one person? Have you got mug stamped on your forehead?