My niece is a teen and has a toddler. I support her the best I can. One way is financially - if she runs out of money at the end of the month I lend her some money which she always pays back promptly. I also sometimes just send her money as a gift if something unexpected comes up and she is short on money. Sometimes her Dd's dad doesn't give her the agreed child support too.
At the weekend it was her toddler's birthday, I got him a few presents and also gave her some money which I said was to get things for her DD. I was thinking essentials like clothes etc. Anyway, she sent me a picture last night and she's spent it on a big toy for her DD that cost most of the money.
I realise that obviously I gave the money as a gift so it is up to her what she spends it on and I wasn't clear about keeping it for essentials. And even so she can do what she likes with it. I'm sure I bought toys for my first DC out of excitement and someone else might have thought - what a waste she could have kept that money for clothes and nappies. But I wish I could help her in some way with budgeting her money but without coming over judgemental. I have no problem with helping her financially, as I say she always pays back loans and never expects me to give her money etc. But it would be better for her to be able to make her money stretch a bit more.
Does anyone have any low-key ways I could help her out with budgeting?