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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Who pays for:

34 replies

PurpleYam · 03/11/2017 12:17

Hairdresser, barber, waxing?

Our teens have small allowances, so we pay for all basics, but if they want something fancier they save up. Eg I'll buy own-brand underwear, toiletries, school supplies etc in multipacks while doing a supermarket shop, if they want the fancier one-at-time stuff, or famous names, they buy it themselves. If I'm budgeting £60 for a winter coat, but they want one that costs more, they pay the difference.

Can't decide where personal grooming fits. You need underwear, shampoo, pens etc, but you don't need haircuts. They count as luxuries to be saved up for or given as gifts. OTOH if a boy wants to keep his hair neatly trimmed, that isn't a luxury (and it's vastly cheaper than a girl's haircut!). What about waxing? Luxury or standard personal grooming?

OP posts:
bec3105 · 03/11/2017 12:20

Hair cuts are a necessity as far as I’m concerned.
Waxing is a luxury as they’re cheaper hair than removal methods and waxing is a choice.
If I didn’t pay for hair cuts their hair wouldn’t get cut!?

Appuskidu · 03/11/2017 12:20

My teens have never had anything waxed (neither have I tbh!) so I don't think that's an essential, is it?! I'd buy them a razor!

I do pay for hair cuts though.

WildCherryBlossom · 03/11/2017 12:22

I think hair cuts are a necessity, waxing a luxury. But a lot of this depends on what sort of allowance they are getting.

CakesRUs · 03/11/2017 12:26

Teenagers don’t need waxing, I’d pay for haircuts and razors though.

BoredOnMatLeave · 03/11/2017 12:28

Hair cuts you pay for. Any colouring/extensions etc I would expect them to pay for.

Waxing is a luxury, I would supply basic razors.

Northumberlandlass · 03/11/2017 12:30

I agree to pay for haircuts as it is an essential, however DS now wants to go to my salon rather than the barbers, so we have agreed I will pay £10 towards his hair cut & he can add the rest.

He gets quite a good allowance considering I pay his mobile contract, clothes (although I won't pay for his 'Canterbury' obsession!) and toiletries!

BabyOrSanta · 03/11/2017 12:30

With the waxing, I'd say it depends to some extent.
If they're a very hairy 14 year old girl who's getting picked on because of their monobrow and would only cost £5 to get that waxed, I'd say that wasn't always a luxury.
If they want their legs waxed at a top salon as they can't be bothered to shave, that would be a luxury.

With haircuts, I would want them to look presentable so a quick trim at the local hairdresser would be a necessity but a full restyle and blow dry every six weeks is a luxury.

TranquilityofSolitude · 03/11/2017 12:31

I've tended to give them money for a basic haircut and they've sometimes added to it.

DD1 is an enthusiastic searcher of Groupon for deals. They often have cheap haircuts and she doesn't mind going somewhere else each time so that works well.

DD2 once had her haircut somewhere trendy and she offered to come in sometimes for trainees to practise on. It's mostly updos (she has long hair) but she gets a cut at a reduced rate (or free if it's part of the training).

In addition, sometimes (start of the Christmas or Easter holidays, for example), DH's Dad sends them some money for a haircut. I was really surprised the first time he offered but it's become a bit of a habit which is lovely.

Tinty · 03/11/2017 12:32

I think you should pay for haircuts until they are out at work and earning money.

Maybe like your idea with the coats, a £30 cut from 'Vals hair' the local hairdressers for example but if they want to go somewhere fancy and have highlights etc they pay the difference.

Appuskidu · 03/11/2017 12:37

With the waxing, I'd say it depends to some extent.
If they're a very hairy 14 year old girl who's getting picked on because of their monobrow and would only cost £5 to get that waxed, I'd say that wasn't always a luxury.

I'd be showing them how to pluck!

Otterturk · 03/11/2017 16:02

Why wouldn't you pay? If you can afford to... my highlights were paid for until I left uni and started a grad job!

LaurieFairyCake · 03/11/2017 16:13

Highlights Shock

My hairdresser can’t afford to have highlights never mind some teenager Shock

Can’t imagine paying for that, mine cost me £100 every 8 weeks.

Orangeplastic · 03/11/2017 16:29

Pay for a haircut - that's £40, no way am I paying for highlights and I can afford it. No to waxing and also no to getting gel nails unless as a gift. I will end up paying quite a bit for a winter coat though.

JustDanceAddict · 03/11/2017 16:42

I pay for everything for DS (13) he’s low maintenance and he has some savings if he wants to buy a big ticket item (with my permission) or he uses bday money etc.
I would spend around £15 on his haircut as he has to have one every few weeks.
DD - is a bit more high maintenance with product etc and she pays difference for hair stuff, buys own make up (doesn’t use much), although I may have started off her collection. She babysits do earns some money & gets allowance. I buy all clothes unless she goes shopping with a friend or wants something rather than ‘needs’ it. She’s stopped growing now so in theory should be able to wear clothes for a bit longer esp jeans. DS is growing at rate of knots though.

Keehar256 · 03/11/2017 19:12

Me and DD 14 are splitting the cost of hi lights and cut ( about £70) Her roots are about 4" long atm!

WillowWeeping · 03/11/2017 19:25

I'm a bit of a hypocrite: I pay for things I approve of and not things I don't.

Waxing = fine
Hair cuts = fine

Gel nails = not fine

In terms of clothes I do tend to buy good quality (which is often branded) but only if they need it. E.g. I'll buy a decent coat or pair of boots but won't buy a second pair

Otterturk · 03/11/2017 19:28

If you can afford to - which is crucial here - why wouldn't you pay?

My highlights and cut were around £150 every 8 weeks (180 now) and until I started a proper job my dad paid because it made me happy and we didn't view it as a luxury, just maintenance.

If you can't afford to pay then fair enough, but if you can then why wouldn't you?

pinkliquorice · 03/11/2017 19:38

Hair cuts and hair removal are not luxury’s surely? I will be paying for mine until they move out, there not going to die if they go without these things but it could seriously affect their confidence and happiness.
My eldest is now 22 but when she was a teen I would pay for her to get her hair died or get highlights, would also pay for any waxing or brow/lash tints as I would class that all the same as shampoo.

LaurieFairyCake · 03/11/2017 19:49

Waxing and brow/lash tints the SAME as shampoo Shock

I’ve never waxed or had my brows or lashes done in almost 50 years! My brows and lashes look fine - good actually.

lljkk · 03/11/2017 19:52

Razors we pay for.
Spot cream I pay for.
Haircuts we argue about.
DD pays for own body spray.
I'd make DD pay for her own waxing or similar grooming.

LemonysSnicket · 03/11/2017 19:54

My mum still pays for my hair doing ( just finished uni) including dye. She would rather pay than me look like a scruffy rat because I can't afford it.
Waxing would be self payed as they can easily shave or depilate for far cheaper and solve the issue. After about 14 My armpit/ bikini area management was certainly not my mother's business.

Appuskidu · 03/11/2017 19:56

Oh, yes. I pay for spot-related lotions and potions and obviously sanitary towels/tampons. Also, deodorant and body spray just gets added onto the weekly shop. If they want something expensive different, they buy it.

pinkliquorice · 03/11/2017 19:59

@LaurieFairyCake

But that has been your choice to not to as you think yours look good naturally.
My eldest is half Greek and has lots of facial and body hair, her lashes are also wierdly a naturally reddish colour and she chose as a teen to get both done as this makes her more confident which is what I want as a parent, so I paid.

WitchesHatRim · 03/11/2017 20:02

My highlights and cut were around £150 every 8 weeks (180 now) and until I started a proper job my dad paid because it made me happy and we didn't view it as a luxury, just maintenance.

Most would view that sort of cost as a luxury.

We pay for haircuts and razors. DSD sometimes has nails done as a treat but very rarely as isn't allowed for school.

PigletWasPoohsFriend · 03/11/2017 20:05

We pay for haircuts for DSC. Razors for her and DSS.

Occasionally as a treat if I'm having mine done DSD will have her nails done with me but that isn't very often.

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