The Economy Reduces Teen Allowances
Actions to Take When You Have to Lower the Money You Give Your Kids
Mar 26, 2009
Many families are having to cut back on spending in all areas of their lives. For parents, these cutbacks may include having to change your teenagers allowances. It's important to review with your teenagers how they are spending their allowances and how all of the family is reducing spending.
If allowances have been established in the family, addressing them in any way other than a raise is going to cause friction. You can reduce this strife by carefully reviewing the way they are spending their allowances and helping them understand how you are making small sacrifices as well.
It is very likely you provide food and shelter for your teenagers as part of your concept of parenting. Experts from Dr. Phil to Amy Nathan in The Kids Allowance Book [iUniverse 2006]agree parents are obligated to meet basic needs as part of their duties. However, beyond the basics, opinions diverge as to what is necessity and what is wishful thinking. Items such as recreation costs, designer clothing and spending money are what you need to focus on as being adjustable under economic demands.
Review How Allowances are Being Spent
Begin reviewing the amount your teens receive and help them see where they spend their money. Have them track their allowance for one week and present you with receipts for the spending. Go over the items one by one with your teens.
In the meantime, keep a record of your own free spending and keep the receipts. As your teens recount their spending, join them in presenting yours. Point out where you have had to make cutbacks in your own spending. After all, if you haven't modified your habits, you can't expect your teens to do so.
One of the functions of an allowance is to allow your teenagers to begin experiencing the concept of pay for performance and future employment. A list of your teenagers' duties and the amount earned for those duties should be established from the very beginning. Suggestions for possible chore, duties and achievements appropriate to receive allowances for can be found by reading Amy Nathan's The Kids Allowance Book.
If your teenagers are meeting the requirements for their allowances, you may need to suggest a new payment schedule based on funds available. Or, you may need to issue credits, allow a "buy out" of certain chores, or other creative solutions. One of your best resources will be your teenagers' friends' parents.
Emotional Check In: Does Allowance Amount Equal Love in Your Teen' Eyes?
One mistake parents may make is to allow the giving of allowance to be perceived as giving of approval, love or acceptance. If this has happened, a drop in allowance may be equated with a drop in love or acceptance. If you have to make a cut in allowance amounts, be sure to talk with your teenagers and reiterate that you love and care about them exactly as you always have.
If your teenagers are older, explain the current economic conditions and the fact you are having to make cuts everywhere. Again, remind them your priority as a parent is keeping them safe, clothed, fed and a roof over their heads. It may not be fun to be short on funds, but it's not the end of the world.
Until America continues along the path to economic recovery, there are fewer and fewer funds available for discretionary spending. Making your teenagers aware of this fact, assuring them of your love and dedication to their wellness and helping them understand their spending will help to make changes in allowances understood and accepted by your teenagers.
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