Last year when I still have two pre schoolers, I prepare their snacks and they don’t bring money with them. I am all against to pre schoolers having money allowance for their snacks. I do believe that giving money at this very young age is not appropriate. This can lead to kids not eating enough. How can you be sure that the kids are buying nutritious food? or what if they are not buying food at all? I am just glad that the pre school section of my kids’ school have no canteen.Now, this year, my oldest boy is in Grade 1. And during their classes, they were toured around the school (including the canteen). That spiked an interest on my boy. It’s very simple to him, there’s a place where he can buy things, so why won’t he buy there? Knowing him and his curiosity level, I just have to give what he wants. Of course, I need to moderate it. So I told him he can only bring money on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The first week was not successful, he bought candy and a lot of other stuff (I gave him 20 Pesos). The next week is worst. His dad gave him 50 Pesos! So he bought erasers and even gave some of his money to his classmate. I know that the intention of my hubby is to teach him how to handle money. But I think it is rather too early. So the next week, I threatened him that if he buys a candy again, I will no longer give him money for allowance. And of course I have to give him a smaller amount. Now his allowance is only 10 Pesos, just enough to buy him cookies.
How about you? Do you think you should give money allowance to your kids? Why and why not?
Sherry says
July 28, 2010 at 12:57 amyou are right during my school days I bought junk food to eat with the money.
ceschami says
August 2, 2010 at 10:36 amhi! i have a 8-yr old in 3rd grade and just this schoolyear, i started giving him allowance for his snacks–P40. my objective is, yes, to teach him to manage his money. so far, it's working, what with a P5 savings almost everyday which he puts in his piggy bank. the rest he buys pizza or a sandwich from the school canteen.
Clarissa says
August 4, 2010 at 11:12 pmNope,I don't give allowance to my kids when they're at school coz the school serves lunch there and they don't need money inside school.My kids can spend their own allowance only if needed(money that they receive during x-mas or newyear)We don't usually give them money to spend for snacks kasi alam nila na when it's time for snacks,dapat nasa bahay sila or else mauubusan sila ng share nila lol. Pag nasa school naman sila,walang problema.
Lorraine Cinco says
August 18, 2011 at 6:20 amFor me ate, wag na, kasi when i was elementary days, money yong baon ko..yet, sa sobrang mahal ng bilihin ng healthy foods, sometimes ndi kaya ng baon ko, so i’d rather buy junk foods..at chaka when you are a child attracted ka sa mga junk foods and candy…
LOURDES ESPANOL says
September 11, 2011 at 10:39 pmI only give my nephew money on Fridays (P20). I tell him to save some for his piggy bank.
january says
October 18, 2011 at 6:19 pmi give allowance to my sister kids but their yaya keep it for them so they would only ask if needed to buy something other than that, they have packed lunch and snacks.
it’s important to teach them the value of money at this early age 😀