Pocket money and flying lessons

[BreakfastMuffin]

Do you give your kids pocket money? If so, what is a reasonable amount? It all started when my son (11) asked to have flying lessons (!) and obv we don't think it's sensible even though he is really keen. I understand he's not happy we're not just agreeing to him having his way and started saying that we are not a normal family, and that all his friends get pocket money whereas he doesn't. So on one hand I'm thinking that in hope to calm him down we give him some pocket money every week. On the other hand it's like he's getting his way. In the past we would just pay for stuff when and as he needs it. Dh now says if he's getting pocket money he ought to use that rather than expecting it from us for things when we are out and about. He also says that if his sister is getting to do the hobbies she likes (dance) he should be getting the same amount to spend on him.... Grrrr

Could he earn extra money? Doing extra chores etc

Not sure if it applies to air cadets bit it might be worth contacting them now as there may be waiting lists to join. I know lots of these organisations have to do this.

+1 for air cadets, also gliding is much cheaper than 'real' flying.

Also as another poster mentioned airflieds will often take on a teenage to work in the cafe or a general dogsbody role and give them lessons / glider time in return.

OP has already stated he needs to be 13 before he can start air cadets.

Actually he needs to be 12 and in year 8 for air cadets. They lowered their joining age a while ago.

Thanks everyone. We're looking into air cadets for him to start Sept 2017 as he likes the idea. But I'm not sure how much actual flying they do. For the moment we'd agreed on 10 pounds a month and 3 flying lessons a year.

My son would like to be a pilot but hated air cadets... too much drill, marching and being shouted at for him. He has friends who have been in air cadets for 2 years but have not flown yet.

From advice on mumsnet he has since joined gliding cadets. He now flies every week and gets to drive golf buggies to retrieve gliders, help with launches and is learning about basic air traffic control. It is reasonably cheap. £5 a month membership and £2.50 for a 15 minute flight then £4.25 for a launch and 18p a minute for more flying. All tuition/instruction is free. They hope to get my DS going solo by his 14th birthday.... a scary thought!

esgc.co.uk/esgc-cadet-scheme/

They let you join gliding cadets at 13 yrs and there are clubs all over the UK.

Breward - thanks for the link. It's a bit far for us but I'll have a look for one locally.

This link might help to see where the nearest local club is.

www.gliding.co.uk/club-finder

My son said they often let you join as soon as you can reach the pedals! It is amazing that DS might be flying solo 3 years before he can drive.