Working Teenagers Paying Their Way?

[dramallama36]

Hi, just wanted some advice please as I’m completely unsure what to do with this. DD (16) is at college and works part time. She gets paid about £400pm. I put £50pm into her savings if she matches it and saves £50 too. She does chores around the house for this and it is inaccessible for two years so she can keep it for going to university.

She buys her own toiletries, pet food etc. I do this to teach her independence. I wouldn’t charge her to live at home unless she was working full time.

What would you do about holidays etc? Would you expect her to pay her way and contribute towards a holiday if she wants to come with us? We have two other younger children (so it’s much cheaper if we were to go as a four!). I feel she might be too young and her money should be hers to spend as she likes. Or should she be expected to pay her way now she’s earning?

What have you done or what was expected of you as a teen?

Thank you xx

If you can afford it I wouldn’t charge for holiday or food but she could have her own spending money. She’s still a child

I definitely wouldn’t make her contribute towards a holiday. Surely you can’t leave her at home on her own anyway if she decides that she doesn’t want to pay to go on holiday with you?
It’s a family holiday and she is a child who is part of your family.

If she didn't work part time and was at college would you take her on holiday with you? If so then don't charge her. If she wants to go off with friends as well as you then she should pay.for that. Of she wants to go with friends instead of you then you could offer to contribute some of the cost (as you will save on the family holiday).

Having been to uni myself with little savings i would encourage her to save a little more - £100 per month if she can....with your contribution it would be £150.... it's not a lot more but will really help in the long run.

She sounds like a sensible, mature girl. Enjoy her coming on holiday with you - as she will be off on her own shortly. (I also have 3 kids and k ow it's more expensive....but you will look back and be pleased to have spent the time with her.)

My offspring always worked but it never occurred to me to ask them to pay for holidays. They did provide their own spending money. However, once they went to uni we did not take them on holiday and they worked right through the vacations. The only short holidays they had, they paid for.

I'd pay for her holiday. I'm surprised she wants to come at 16.

I have never heard of a 16 year old having to pay to go on holiday with their family , I really don't think that would be right.

I wouldn’t charge my teens for anything and didn’t when they had part time jobs. I did, however, encourage some savings which they did anyway.

@blametheparents whyever not? She's old enough to get married!
Op you could leave her at home, but I think it would be unkind. Choose a holiday you can afford and take her. If she was earning pennies you would, don't sanction her for being hardworking! At that age, holidays with family, family pay. Holiday with mates, she should pay for herself.

Does she actually want to go on holiday with you?

If so, I would still pay.

She is saving and paying for her own toiletries which is commendable.

My ds works part time on minimum wage for a well known pizza chain.

He works 3-4 evenings a week and can earn up to £350 a month.

He saves most of this as he was planning to travel around Europe next summer. He also has a holiday booked to the Caribbean with his Girlfriend in February. (Think this will be cancelled due to covid)

I pay for all his needs. Phone, toiletries, essential clothing and driving lessons.

I also pay for family holidays.

He works really hard for his money. Minimum wage is so low and I feel it is unfair when he works along side older people doing the same job and getting paid £3 more than him per hour.

He is going to uni next year and is also saving for this.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was so unsure what to do as never had guidance myself as a teen so I feel like everything is a massive decision I need to get right! I’m just trying to do what’s best for her really, teaching her independence, getting her ready for uni. It didn’t sit totally right with me so I appreciate all your opinions.
I’d happily leave her home alone if that’s what she wanted, she is a very mature 16yo and I’d completely trust her xx

She sounds wonderful OP. You’ve done a great job. Be proud of her ♥️

@uggmum

My ds works part time on minimum wage for a well known pizza chain.

He works 3-4 evenings a week and can earn up to £350 a month.

He saves most of this as he was planning to travel around Europe next summer. He also has a holiday booked to the Caribbean with his Girlfriend in February. (Think this will be cancelled due to covid)

I pay for all his needs. Phone, toiletries, essential clothing and driving lessons.

I also pay for family holidays.

He works really hard for his money. Minimum wage is so low and I feel it is unfair when he works along side older people doing the same job and getting paid £3 more than him per hour.

He is going to uni next year and is also saving for this.

Fair play to you! Sounds like a good set up and atleast he’s saving up! xx

No way would I charge my daughter for holidays!

I think the £50 saving and you match it is a great idea though.

No. I’ve never charged children for living at home. They were, and are, included in all family activities and events as part of the family regardless of age or income whilst living at home. Our 22 year old isn’t charged anything at the moment because she’s saving hard to move to London for work at the end of January. If we charged her, we’d just have to subsidise the move more.
Even the children that live away now and have partners don’t pay if they come away with us; it’s a privilege to have them.

She’s doing really well saving for university. I’d leave it there.