Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Child's modelling fees

88 replies

Newnameoldface · 18/07/2017 23:19

So. DD (6) has been booked quite frequently as a child model..her fees go into an account and she has around £9000 in there and no signs of her bookings drying up. I also have an account for her I save her child benefit (so £20 a week for 6.5 years) plus her pocket money of £5 a week and any money gifts she gets..this account is another almost £9000

I'm a very struggling poor single mum and can't afford holidays..dd is obsessed my idea of going to Paris; Eifel tower, Loivre, boat trip down the river (and Disney). Would I be completely out of order to pay for some of it out of "her" money?

OP posts:
Original poster
Newnameoldface · 18/07/2017 23:20

lourve

OP posts:
hayli · 18/07/2017 23:20

No

eeniemeenieminiemoe2014 · 18/07/2017 23:21

i would use rhe account with the child benefit in! those experiences are amazing for a child.

eeniemeenieminiemoe2014 · 18/07/2017 23:21

child ben minus the gift money!

Icklepickle101 · 18/07/2017 23:21

No, some of DS (only child if that makes a difference) money was spent on a trip to Disney

hayli · 18/07/2017 23:22

Dont struggle if needed use the child benefit money for ur dd's neeeds. Thats what its for.

lilydaisyrose · 18/07/2017 23:22

What is your eventual plan for this money? Arenyou going to let her have full access to it/help her with capital purchases such as car/house or help her with her education?

hatters · 18/07/2017 23:22

I don't think you should touch the fees and gifts.

But why are you passing her £5 a week and all the child benefit when you are struggling? You could maybe start a treat fund with that money, if you have enough to get by without it.

Xmasbaby11 · 18/07/2017 23:22

Why on earth do you give her the child benefit and pocket money if you're skint? Makes no sense. Keep the child benefit and you'll be able to pay for days out.

Hotheadwheresthecoldbath · 18/07/2017 23:23

Completely missing why you feel the child benefit is for her savings.Also whilst it might be nice to take her to these places she really won't remember when she's older.Do some day trips to the seaside and build sand castles.

Xmasbaby11 · 18/07/2017 23:24

£5 pocket money is a lot at 6, but it would be mean to stop it now.

LovingLola · 18/07/2017 23:24

If you are struggling and poor then I think you need to stop saving £20 per week for your dd and also stop putting the £5 per week pocket money into savings for her. If she has money earned from modelling fees then it is fair to put that away for her but don't be scrimping and saving to put away another £100 per month if it means you have to struggle.
And no, use her money to pay for trips that will be beneficial to her.

PricklyCactuss · 18/07/2017 23:24

My Gm set up a savings account for me when I was little and she paid into every week. If I wanted to go on any of the holidays with school it'd be paid for out it this money. Use her money shed understand.

caffeinestream · 18/07/2017 23:26

Why aren't you spending the child benefit?

Whiterabbitears · 18/07/2017 23:27

Yes I would, look for a special offer so you get a good deal. I wish I could have taken my DDs to Disney when they were little enough to really appreciate it, now they're older it wouldn't be the same. I would use the money from the child benefit account, as you say its her money, let her enjoy it.

SonicBoomBoom · 18/07/2017 23:27

I'd use up to half of it. So then you're only using the child benefit money (which is for you, to help you not struggle) and not her pocket money or gifts.

Original poster
Newnameoldface · 18/07/2017 23:27

Thank you!
That's what I thought but my family
Say otherwise.

I mean I struggle in that I have to work loads and have no free time / never have anything nice for me..dd however is beautifully turned out and lacks for nothing (except for a daddy and holidays that aren't
Camping nearby!) I save "her" money as my parents told me I was selfish to spend it (on nappies) when she was a newborn! Dd has violin, swim, ballet, tap, theatre craft,jazz, horse riding, surfing and gymnastic lessons.. swear I spend my
Whole life driving her about!!

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 18/07/2017 23:28

I think it would be perfectly in order to use the child benefit money for a holiday. Most people spend this on day to day needs for the child but you've saved it. So I'd go the holiday. If you are skint I'd stop saving the child benefit. The modelling fees are a bit different.

BrutusMcDogface · 18/07/2017 23:33

Bloody Nora, how do you fit all of that in??!! How does she?

I'd also use the child benefit money but I'd also consider cutting my hours and cutting her extra curricular activities so we could actually spend some time together which wasn't rushing here, there and everywhere.

grumpysquash3 · 18/07/2017 23:34

But if DD has 'earned' the money from modelling, and really wants to go on a trip somewhere, then what's the problem with using some of the money? She will learn that working = rewards. Obviously don't fritter it away, but one holiday won't take too much out of it.

Original poster
Newnameoldface · 18/07/2017 23:34

And we are so lucky to live right by the beach so spend endless days there; I just have it in my
Head that money is hers not mine to choose how to spend (aresehole family)

Eventual plan for the money is for her not to struggle to afford a house deposit; or have a pot of money to go travel wherever she wants! I wish so much I had travelled and seen the world and made lots of
Friends!!

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 18/07/2017 23:35

Child benefit is for you to help you with the costs of having a child. . I think you should feel absolutely free to spend it on a holiday - she will love that.

I think you're telling your parents too much about your finances. It's absolutely nothing to do with them.

ShoesHaveSouls · 18/07/2017 23:36

Child benefit is definitely to spend on the child now, I think. You'd be fine to use some of that for the holiday. Seems amazing to have that much money stashed in the bank if you're struggling to pay for a holiday that she would love now.

AndNowItIsSeven · 18/07/2017 23:36

What agency is she with? Am looking for a reputable one.
Absolutely use the child benefit, the clue is in the name it's for their childhood.
I wouldn't feel bad about using some of the modelling money also, maybe a third it's for her benefit.

Xmasbaby11 · 18/07/2017 23:36

OK so you're not poor if you have such a programme of activities for your dd.

You need to sort out priorities of what you want to do and pay for. Also it's got nothing to do with your dp so don't mention to them what money you spend on what.