Kids paying their "keep"

[andy]

Once the little lovlies are out at work, what do you charge them to live in your house ?

My step daughter is nearly 20 and is just finnishing her full time college course in hair and beauty.
Whilst at college, she's been working part time in the local pub kitchen which brings her about £100 per week,
Presently, she pays us £10 pw just for some petrol money for running her back and forwards. Soon she's going to be bringing home over £200 pw.

Now she totally begrudges us the £10 at present but soon, she's going to have a bit of a shock. Both my wife and myself both paid our parents 1/4 of our take home pay. When we mentioned this to the step daughter, she went mad.

Personally, i don't think that asking £40-£50pw from a £200+ take home pay is excessive.

What do you charge your kids ? Are we being fair ?

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[Auricula]

I cant remember the exact percentage, but I do know that we were quite unusual anongst our friends for charging them anything We thought it was good to let them know that they had a responsibility to contribute to the running of the household, whereas most of our friends thought that as they had kept them for so many years, and didn't really need the money, it was unfair to start charging them
What our kids didn't know, however, is that we put the money they paid us into a special account and when they decided to move away from home, we gave the money to them as the deposit on their property A good compromise, we thought

[farmersboy]

If she gets her washing done,and supplied with food,i would have thought £40/50 would be very fair,Andy,when i started work i got £2. 4 shillings,and gave my mum £1

[prodigal gardener]

Yes you are right - you should charge her - you have supported her through college and its time for her to grow up and pay her way - I am having a similar "discussion" with Rebecca at the moment - she has finally managed to get a job and is outraged that I am going to charge her board! I couldn't care less - I have bought her clothes, supplied her food and shelter for the past 16 years, not to mention the mobile phone bills - its payback time! I will save some of it up for her but not all. I had to pay board when I lived at home, and I think it helps to teach them about financial responsibilty. If she dont like it she is more than welcome to bugger off - lets see her find board and lodging (and someone to pay her phone bill!) for £20.00 a week out in the big wide world

[Barbara]

You are quite right Andy, no-one should expect to live for free, the world doesn't work like that, we are working class people and have to pay our way, so it's right that things should get a litte easier for you financially now. KIDS!!!

[Tig]

I remember when I got my first job I had to give my Mum my wage packet unopened, I earned £5 a week, Mum gave me £1 back for spending money, £1 for bus fares, she had £2 for housekeeeping and put the other pound in a savings account for me. I left home and lived with my boyfriend (now my OH) within the year and found I could manage very well on £5 a week as long as he was paying the rent

When my pair got jobs they had to pay board, think it was a fiver a week to start with and went up to a tenner when they got a decent wage but that was in the last century! 20% is not excessive and that still leaves a lot of money to spend, or save. Can I come and stay with you on full board with laundry services for £40 a week? ;D

x Tig

[jean]

I was one of five children and we all paid our Mum a 1/5th of our wages of what ever we earned. When it came to my lot I was a bit more lenient but they all contributed and had to help with the housework - just because they contributed didn't entitle them to hotel service

[Jasmine]

Is it too soon to start charging my 2 - they have more money than us ;D

[farmersboy]

Never too soon Jas,get them used to paying their way ;D

[Deleted]

With my first job, I was paid £50 per week and gave my Mum & Dad £10. I was overjoyed when I got a pay rise to £55 per week but that put me over the tax threshold so not only did I start paying tax but my Mum & Dad put my "board" up to £12.50 per week because I'd had a pay rise ! I ended up worse off for a while !!

I agree with KL. I think £50 is fair and if she's unhappy with that, tell her she's welcome to see if she can rent a room or share a house for £50 per week.

FA x

[Ladygardener]

I agree it's reasonable for children to pay something towards their keep. When my Daughter was living with me before she got married, I did'nt actually take cash off her but we kind of took it in turns to pay for the groceries and she bought me treats regularly. She helped with the cleaning and did all her own washing. She was saving up to get married and I was quite happy with that.

[bagpuss]

I agree with everyone here - I think that is very fair. When I lived at home, and first started work, I think I paid something like £20 per week and also contributed a third towards the household utilities (and poll tax as it was then!).

My friends thought that was a bit harsh, but after leaving home, I was thankful because I had a bit more of an idea about the cost things.

[Deleted]

My Grandson let on today that when he started work as a trainee chef, he got £9,000 per annum. That was about ten years ago and it was more than I get now. I wonder what he paid his Mum.