Stingy to think a fiver a day spending money for Y6 is too much?

[MerryMarigold]

So ds1 has his school residential coming up in a couple of weeks. They are going for 5 days. There is a 'limit' of £5 spending money per day, but it basically sounds like everyone has that as we were told to put a fiver in an envelope labelled for each day and no mention of 'you can put less'. We're not from a particularly affluent area.

I think it's a lot. They are on a site, so the only things to buy are food items and silly souvenirs (possibly). I don't want ds spending £25 on sweets, crisps, lucozade and choc as he does have a small appetite and struggles a bit with food so I can see him doing this and then not eating. However, he is very much a 'left out' child, and desperate to fit in, so I do think I need to give it to him so he's not different. Should I give it, but tell him he is not to buy too much junk with it, or just let him go and have fun.

WWYD and AIBU? Is it not that much really? In your experience, what do kids spend a fiver a day on?

Can you speak to other parents and see what they're doing?

Ours were allowed a max of £3 in total for the tuck shop for a three day residential.

They do get all meals provided so it is not for food - and yes, sounds like lovely food. Hot breakfasts, buffet style meals every meal etc. I may speak to his teacher about it, but it's a bit late this year to change it. Maybe by the time my Y3s get there, we can change it!

In terms of asking 'other parents', we are fairly new at the school and I don't know many Y6 parents at all (not the friendliest bunch, plus ds1 has struggled with friendships). My other kids have lots of friends and I know the Mums but this year group are a bit odd and perhaps just because they are older the parents are a bit less involved. I will ask his one and only friend's Mum, but I am fairly sure that boy will be taking the full amount.

We were asked to give x5 £1 coins so they had £1 each day in tuck shop. Then up to £5 in another envelope for them to spend at the gift shop.

I forgot that kids in the UK can take money on a trip. I work overseas and the Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 kids who go on residential trips aren't allowed to take any money on trips.

Thanks knackered, glad the idea worked out with yours.

If it's £5 a day pocket money, then I would definitely say it is far too much. If they have to purchase lunch from a canteen with it then it is more reasonable.
I think I would contact the school and ask for clarification and, if appropriate, tell them you think that it is a ridiculous suggestion as it puts pressure on all families to provide that totally over the top amount whatever their financial background.

Had an idea. I may tell him that what he doesn't spend on rubbish, he can keep. That'll motivate him - he loves money. Then it's his choice but he's not left out.

Great idea op, well done! I do the same with Dd when the school has raffles. I give her money and I explain that she can either gamble buy tickets with the money or keep it for her money box. She has never had a flutter bought a ticket!

When I went on my residential it cost £21 and we were allowed to take £3.50 for spending money.

My dc's residential cost £395 so the relative pocket money would be nearly £60.

However they were only allowed to take £10. They were entirely on site so the only things they could get were sweets and a few things like bookmarks or badges.

One dormitory spent their entire amount of sweets for the last night. They were very sick.

Our school is very middle class and naice and we are told no pocket money for the y5 and y6 residentials. One of my kids said that someone who smuggled sweets in caused an ant problem to develop in his room.