To let my DS go door to door selling?

[niceguy2]

My DS & his friend are 10 and tonight have decided they want to raise a bit of cash by selling some of their unwanted books and toys.

They wanted to go around the estate (it's safe) and knock door to door asking.

AIBU to say yes? Actually I've already said yes but part of me is feeling bad that my DS wants cash so much that he's willing to sell some of his books as he doesn't have many toys, he generally plays on the xbox.

I do give him £10 a month pocket money. Is that enough you think? He generally blows this on xbox points or a game etc.

I think £2.50 a week is a little low for a 10yr old...could he not do some jobs around the house to earn more?

I used to knock door to door with a bucket and sponge at his age and ask if people wanted their cars washed.

I'm not sure about the selling of toys because if a child knocked at my door, I'd be worried the toys belonged to someone else...or the parents might not be happy with them selling them.

I'd be more inclined to let them set up a stall in the front garden/pavement outside your home, less trekking around. As to whether £10 a month is enough, depends on your own income.

Whats the going rate then for a 10 year old, nearly 11? I don't mind giving him more if I am being unfair compared to everyone else but at the same time I don't want to give him so much that he doesn't value it.

Worra's suggestion of letting him earn some more is a good idea, then.

I suppose it depends on the child and what he spends it on really, rather than a 'going rate' IYSWIM.

I think its a good idea for him to sell some toys and books to earn a bit of cash, but like OldLady I think a stall at the end of your drive or a garage sale would be a better alternative. He and his friends could plan it maybe for the weekend and make fliers to pop through people letter boxes.

I think £10 is OK, (my kids are grown up though so I may be out of touch) do you ever subsidise it?, - I used to get mine the odd comic or pack of football cards etc. to supplement their pocket money.

My DD has just turned 10y and her pocket money is now £3.50. It goes up by 50p on each birthday.

I agree with OldLady and Kurri about the idea of setting up a stall. No idea if 10 quid is enough. We used to have to do chores to earn pocket money.

I would say no. I would hate to have a child turn up on my doorstep selling books. I wouldn't want anything but I would hate to have to say no as well. It's putting people on the spot. Encourage him to clean cars instead.

Getnthemmto make fliers for a garage sale at the weekend. Then maybe see if you can find anything for them to sell. I wouldn't let them knock on doors.- I don't think i'd buy from a 10 year old that may not have had permission to sell his stuff!

Door to door selling - no. If I opened my door to find a kid wanting to flog stuff to me I'd be

As for pocket money, I stick to the 50p principle. Therefore my DD gets £4 a week because she is 8 years old - but she has to do jobs for that. Tidying, polishing, keeping her room tidy.

I wouldnt let my children do it because I would assume that people would be irritated by it [as would I]

I used to wash cars and walk dogs at around 10-11

Yep a yard sale would be better

Think £10 is low maybe a raise with an attendant chore ? With privilege comes responsibility and all that

Yeah I've said he can wash the car at the weekend. 50p per year so that's £20 a month I guess. Sounds ok to me. The main thing is he can then save for an xbox game in relative time which is the usual thing he wants.

I have been giving him money towards stuff when he goes skating but I guess if i double his money, he can pay for that himself.

Another good one that Ive not done myself but have heard works well is to have a laminated sheet with a grid thingy up with various household chores on and a price per job, any job can be done by any child who puts their name in relevant box/ticks off when its done.

win win all round!

Sounds like a plan.

I make tell my daughter to pay for all her crapola out of her pocket money. Bin Weevils memberships. Moshi Monster shite. You get the idea. I do still treat her now and again but she has really learnt that if she wants something, she has to save up for it.

The latest thing that is going to grace our house is a Moshi Monster Treehouse apparently.

YABU unreasonable letting him disturb people's peace. Better to have a stall at a car boot with him helping.

Amber - that's a great idea! It's like a kiddy competition.

Yes I think I need to take my own advice actually!

Nothing like £ as an incentive bribe

Table outside at the weekend?

Dd2 is 10 and gets £2 a week. She can earn more but tends not to.

I've told him i'm upping his pocket money to £20 now but he will have to pay for trips out he sometimes has with his mate like to the roller rink himself.

It sounds about right cos if he manages his money wisely he can get an xbox game every other month which I think is fine.

He's 11 soon so I'll open him a bank account with a cashcard like I did with his sister. I'll transfer money into it each month after i get paid and he can learn to manage his own money.

Cheers all.